Radhica Ganapathy is the new director of the West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance, and Michael Vercelli, who has served as the interim director for the past year, is the director of the School of Music effective July 2026.
“Radhica’s ability to balance depth and breadth is one of many strengths that have led to her tremendous success as a scholar and a pedagogue. This same ability, plus her commitment to artistic and academic integrity, makes her a perfect leader for our School of Theatre and Dance,” said Keith Jackson, Philip J. Faini/Falbo Family Dean of the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media.
Ganapathy, an associate professor of theatre history and criticism, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in theatre history, theory, dramatic literature and performance studies. Her research engages in critical representations of race, class, gender, sexuality and religion in theatre and performance.
Her research has been presented at various academic conferences, including the Association for Asian Performance (AAP), Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) and American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR). Ganapathy’s writing has been published by “Ecumenica” (Journal of Theatre and Performance), “Asian Theatre Journal,” “Frontiers” (Journal of Women’s Studies), “Bloomsbury” and with the Ashmolean Museum Oxford.
Radhica Ganapathy
Ganapathy began her career as an actor in New Delhi, India. She has also worked as a director, dramaturg and producer. Her recent directing projects include Jen Silverman’s “Phoebe in Winter,” Alice Birch’s “Anatomy of a Suicide,” Caryl Churchill’s “The Skriker,” Paula Vogel’s “Indecent” and Kate Hamill’s “Dracula, a feminist revenge fantasy, really.”
“I joined the School of Theatre and Dance exactly 10 years ago. I am filled with gratitude to be at this juncture and thankful to have landed amidst this joyful community of artists, scholars and people. I look forward to continuing the work to strengthen and grow our programs alongside my colleagues and our talented students,” said Ganapathy.
Josh Williamson, who served as director of the School of Theatre and Dance from 2007 through June 2026, will take sabbatical until August 2027 and return as a professor of Lighting Design and Technology.
“As we welcome Radhica as the incoming director, we must take a moment to thank Josh Williamson for his service in that role. Being the leader of an academic unit is one of the hardest positions on a college campus, and Josh never wavered in his commitment to the School,” said Jackson.
In the School of Music, Vercelli has been appointed director after serving as the interim director since July 2025.
“Mike is an excellent leader for the School of Music as we work to align existing and emerging strengths with the direction of the University,” said Jackson. “His history of engagement as an artist and scholar gives him the breadth needed to see the possibilities that are unique to WVU.”
Michael Vercelli
A member of the School of Music faculty since 2008, Vercelli is an internationally recognized percussionist and ethnomusicologist. Throughout his time at WVU, he has been committed to building global connections that enrich the student experience. He is the director of the WVU World Music Performance Center and leads summer study abroad courses to Ghana, Brazil and Belize, focusing on music, dance and cultural immersion.
Vercelli has received numerous awards for both his performance and study of indigenous music. His expertise is in the transmission and performance practice of percussive traditions of Africa and African Diaspora. He has conducted long-term fieldwork on the xylophone traditions of Ghana and has studied in Brazil, Guinea, Uganda, Cuba and Bali.
“I have a great deal of respect for my colleagues in the School of Music, and it is an honor to serve as the director,” Vercelli said. “I hope to continue to support faculty creativity, enhance our community engagement, and prepare students for diverse careers in music.”
For more information about the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media, visit creativeartsandmedia.wvu.edu.