Alison Dobbins

Alison Dobbins is a Professor of Integrated Performance Media design at Michigan State University. She is an interdisciplinary project creator focused on integrating elements of dance, media, music, theatre, and computer science in performance.  Dobbins is the project director and co-creator of Dance Engine, Shark! The Interactive Musical, BranchOut, Mostly Human, The Poetic Dramas of Mina Loy and other interdisciplinary art projects that focus on audience engagement and creating community through performance.   Her works have been performed nationally and internationally including at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in Salt Lake City, ArtPrize in Grand Rapids Michigan, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Christ Church University, Canterbury England.  Dobbins designs projections for area professional theatres including the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, Williamston Theatre, Tipping Point and the Flint Repertory Theatre. Dobbins’ courses focus on exploration of visual storytelling and audience perception in various mediated settings.  Dobbins’ service includes her recent 5-year stint as the Faculty Excellence Advocate for the College of Arts & Letters, completion of the Big 10 Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program (2024 – 2025), and six years on the University Curriculum Committee (2019 – 2025).  Professionally Dobbins has served on the board for Happendance (2016 – 2019) and as the Vice Commissioner of Programming, Digital Media Commission, United States Institute of Theatre Technology (2021 – 2023).