Rory Quist

Open Study/Research Award

Rory Quist earned his BA in Theatre with a minor in Musical Theatre from Eastern Michigan University. He discovered a passion for Shakespeare during an intensive year-long course at EMU, which led to his casting as the title role in Richard III. The production, staged virtually for at-home audiences during the pandemic, became a pivotal experience—demonstrating not only the resilience of live theatre, but also the untapped potential of digital platforms to share classical works with wider audiences.

As a Fulbrighter, Rory will pursue an MFA in Acting at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in Birmingham, where he will train in the British technique, study Shakespeare with renowned professionals, and explore how classical performance can be reimagined for digital stages in both the UK and the US.

When not on stage, Rory enjoys reading science fiction, running, and engaging in thoughtful conversations about philosophy and current events. Over the past few years, he has worked as a substitute teacher and takes pride in his ability to make learning enjoyable—using roleplay, storytelling, and improv to connect with students and foster curiosity in the classroom.