Steven Fox established this chair in October 2023 to honor Dr. Karen Peterson Wilson ’77, in his estimate one of the Theater Department’s strongest pillars. During her 41-year tenure at St. Olaf, Wilson directed 37 productions and developed more than 15 new courses, including an innovative class titled “Who Owns the Arts? Censorship, Sponsorship, and Artistic Freedom.” She treasured international learning and created The Arts and Literature of Australia and New Zealand program leading it three times and leading the Theater in London program five times. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Minnesota Playwrights’ Center’s New Plays on Campus program, which brings emerging playwrights to colleges and universities across the country for full-scale productions of their scripts. She directed four productions that she discovered through the program. Wilson has repeatedly been recognized for advancing theater and arts education in Minnesota and beyond. She received an Outstanding Individual Award from the Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota and served at its elected President. Wilson earned her Ph.D. in theater at the University of Minnesota, garnering distinctions in the philosophy of theater, acting, playwriting, and dramatic theory. She also holds a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf. This endowed chair honors her work and advances recognition for the contributions that women have made at St. Olaf College. The first chair was Elaigwu Ameh, Assistant Professor of Theater.
Current Chair: Sara Pillatzki-Warzeha
Sara Pillatzki-Warzeha (she/her) is a scholar, theater director and educator based in the Twin Cities. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on Indigenous/settler theatrical collaborations. She also holds an M.F.A. in Acting from Minnesota State University, Mankato and has taught theater at Northern State University, University of Minnesota Morris, University of Minnesota Twin Cities and St. Olaf College. She is passionate about making theater spaces accessible for Native participants (audiences and artists), Dakota language reclamation and Indigenizing theatrical processes. Together with Adrienne Zimiga-January and Sequoia Hauck, she co-founded Mni Giizhik Theatre Ensemble in 2025. This Indigenous theater company focuses on the Native people and stories of Mni Sota Makoce.