Lawless, and Clyde Ruffin. The road has been long, much longer than it should have been. Their support and faith in me, their patience and encouragement enabled me to get to this point. Thank you for inspiring me and challenging me. Once upon a time, a million years ago, my good friend Ann Margrave turned to me during a conversation about the future I planned and said that she didn't think I was planning on living a very happy life. I had a practical and stable career plan that was well thought out and logical. My goals were definitely attainable. But my description of life didn't include happiness, passion, or joy. She talked to me about what I really wanted out of life. She talked to me about my passions, my joys, and what made my heart soar. I don't know what would have happened to my life if she hadn't spoken up. I doubt it would include a Ph.D. in theatre. My parents told me that I could be anything I wanted to, if I just set my mind to it and worked hard. Life is not that simple, of course, and I know they were both disappointed when I changed my major from elementary education to literature and drama my senior year of college. At some point in the intervening years they