Claudia Wier, associate professor of teaching, Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts, and School of Music, College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded a 2025-2026 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for “Croatian Educational Collaboration in Performance and Devising for Social Engagement.” From October 2025 – January 2026, Wier will be based at the University of Rijeka’s Academy of Applied Arts in Rijeka, Croatia and will teach three courses in voice, movement and devising.
While courses at the Academy of Applied Arts focus predominantly on actor training, one of the program's stated goals is to “design and create new models of cooperation through artistic and media activities.” Wier’s expertise addresses a gap in the academy’s regular curriculum by introducing devising techniques for social engagement.
“I have developed a dynamic teaching methodology that integrates applied theatrical techniques in voice and movement with ensemble building through improvisation, documentary and physical theatre methods. My approach encourages students to engage their creative imaginations while collaborating to construct and perform scenes derived from news sources, historical documents or personal stories,” said Wier.
Wier’s teaching methodology emphasizes individual creative discovery and collective problem-solving, promoting social consciousness to bridge social divides. The core tenets of her pedagogy align with the Academy’s vision for expanding student engagement with their communities.
“By introducing Croatian students to new and varied perspectives through my international experiences, I aim to expand their potential for cross-cultural cooperation. My background as an American educator would add a distinct dimension to their training, helping them grow into globally minded artists and thinkers.”
In 2020, Ohio State’s Theatre Department merged with the Media Arts and Film Department, prompting the need to integrate acting with media arts more seamlessly.
“My experience at the Academy in Rijeka will provide valuable insights into their methodological practices, curricular structure, and their integrative work across mediums, all of which can inform the restructuring of our undergraduate theatre curriculum at Ohio State. By working within a comprehensive conservatory-style program, I will gain practical knowledge that can enhance my approach to teaching performance skills at Ohio State. I hope this Fulbright experience will help me contribute to the current effort at Ohio State to develop a comprehensive undergraduate actor training program culminating in a BFA degree in acting,” noted Wier.
Committed to fostering collaborative ties between Croatia and the United States to further cross-cultural understanding, Wier is also hoping to develop a study abroad program in collaboration with the University of Rijeka. The College of Arts and Sciences is seeking new faculty-led education abroad programs and Wier is excited about the prospect of designing a dynamic international cultural exchange opportunity.
“I am deeply committed to engendering mutual understanding and bridging cultural divides through arts education. The Fulbright Program offers an invaluable opportunity to contribute to this mission by guiding students on their journeys to becoming the next generation of leaders, artists and educators,” said Wier.
Wier is also invited to deliver a lecture at the Academy of Dramatic Art at the University of Zagreb on her research and work in operatic performance and gender.
Fulbright
The Fulbright Scholar Program is administered by the Institute of International Education and is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.
For more information about the Fulbright Scholar Program contact Joanna Kukielka-Blaser. View a complete list of Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program recipients.