May 19, 2022
Graduating senior Alexandria Passanisi was recently recognized with the University Co-op George H. Mitchell Award for her honors thesis, entitled "The Missing Elements of Theatrical Representation of Autism Spectrum Disorder."
The University Co-op George H. Mitchell Award was established with support from the University Co-op at The University of Texas at Austin to recognize outstanding scholarly achievements by undergraduate students who demonstrate academic and creative excellence. Award applications and research are submitted in one of four categories: artistic/creative, humanities, social sciences and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). From these applications, a handful of submissions are recognized at a spring ceremony along with a monetary prize for their outstanding work.
Passanisi will graduate with a B.A. in Theatre and Dance - Honors and a B.S. in Radio-Television-Film - Honors in May of 2022. Her award-winning B.A. honors thesis comprises of scholarly research analyzing the gap in representation of autism spectrum disorder in theatrical works, as well as a full-length play that she wrote in hopes of helping fill these gaps. "I have found that most plays about autism center male characters and focus on very heavy themes," Passanisi shared in her award application, "and so women and humor are significant and missing elements in the representation of autism on stage." In creating this new script, which she hopes to submit to theatres and festivals post-graduation, Passanisi aspires to expand representation and create a space for people like her and her brother within the world of theatre.
“This is the best undergraduate thesis I've read or advised in the four years the Department of Theatre and Dance has offered the B.A. Honors Program," shared nominating faculty member Patrick Shaw, "I’d more comfortably compare Alex’s work to that of our graduate playwrights.”
Passanisi was recognized among nine other award recipients at an awards ceremony on May 9, 2022. Learn more about her scholarly research and creative work in her application video, which can be found HERE.