Thomas Riccio

Thomas Riccio is a performance creator, writer, director, ethnographer, and Professor Emeritus of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Dallas. He previously served as a Professor of Theatre at the University of Alaska, Artistic Director of the Organic Theater Company in Chicago, Associate Director at The Cleveland Play House, and Associate Literary Director at the American Repertory Theatre at Harvard. Riccio has been a visiting professor at institutions in Tanzania, India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Korea, and China. His work in Indigenous performance, ritual, and shamanism has taken him to countries worldwide. The Republic of Sakha (Siberia) honored him as a “Cultural Hero.” He has authored many academic publications covering a variety of topics. He received the Onassis International Playwriting Award, has written 20 plays, and directed over 100 performances. His books include "Sophia Robot: Post-Human Being" (Routledge, 2024) and "Performing Africa" (Peter Lang, 2007). Riccio directs Dead White Zombies, a performance group based in Dallas, and served as Creative Director for Hanson Robotics. Recent projects include "Dragon Eye," an installation for SP/N Gallery (2024). He is currently working on “Coming into Knowing,” a book about his work in Indigenous performance.