Biography
Department Chair, Associate Professor
Malone Hall 131
Tori Lee Averett brings a strong and committed voice for collaboration and integration of different ideas, people, and groups in and through the arts, education, and community. She holds the B.M.E. and M.S. in Vocal/Choral Music Education and the B.S. in Theatre from Troy University, and she holds the M.F.A. in Playwriting and Poetry from Georgia College. Tori is an accomplished performer, director, choreographer, writer, musician, and teacher. She has presented at regional and national festivals and conferences in the areas of education, theatre, arts integration, and creative writing, and regularly serves as a resource person for artists and educators. She has received national and regional honors from the Kennedy Center-American College Theater Festival, and she is a national recipient of the Chair Academy’s 2021 Idahlynn Karre Exemplary Leadership Award. Tori was selected by the Alabama State Board of Education to represent Theatre in the Alabama Arts Course of Study revision, approved and adopted in 2018. Tori is an active artist and performer, a singer/songwriter with two original albums released and several more in production. Her research interests include arts integration, interdisciplinary and multicultural arts, and diversity and inclusion through the arts and arts education. Tori directs the Summer Spotlight performing arts series, coordinates the Summer Arts Academy in Pietrasanta, Italy, leads the Pied Pipers children’s theatre troupe, directs various productions, and heads up the Integrated Arts program. Tori is a member of the Troy Arts Council Board of Directors, and she serves as a resource person for the Johnson Center for the Arts and several other local and community arts, civic, and education organizations. She currently serves as Department Chair and tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Troy University, as well she is the Assistant Dean for the College of Communication and Fine Arts. Tori is a proud native of Brundidge, Alabama.