Dr. Brandon V. Riley
Assistant Professor
PhD University of Missouri
brarile@siue.edu
Dr. Brandon V. Riley is and Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the department of Theater and Dance. After graduating from Cahokia High School, he briefly attended McKendree University, followed by Missouri Baptist University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Education, Secondary Education, and Speech & Theatre degree(s) in 2012. He earned his Master of Theatre and Performance Studies degree from the University of Missouri in 2021. Dr. Riley earned his PhD in Theatre & Performance Studies from the University of Missouri in 2025. During his doctoral coursework, he taught courses in theatre and performance studies, served in a variety of capacities for productions, received several recognitions from KCACTF in the areas of directing, choreography, invited productions/scenes and acting. He also received the Jon Hamm Acting award, the Richard and Patricia Wallace Endowment for the Arts and was a Gus T. Ridgel fellow. Prior to enrolling in the program, he was public school teacher and theatre department chair in St. Louis, MO for six years at Grand Center Arts Academy. Dr. Riley has presented performances and workshops at conferences such as the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, the National Communications Association, and the Association for Theatre and Higher Education conference. He continues to operate as a professional director, performer and choreographer, in addition to his professorial duties. His research interests include theatre, performance studies, autobiographical performance, and race relations in theatre performance.
