Biography

Janine Sobeck Knighton is the Associate Professor of Playwriting, Screenwriting, and New Play Development and the Associate Chair for the Theatre Department. She is a 2023 winner of the Faculty Excellence Award from Faculty Senate and an Associate Fellow in the Higher Education Academy.

Professor Knighton has a BA in Theatre Studies, a MA in Theatre History, Theory, and Criticism from Brigham Young University, and a MFA in Theatre: Dramatic Writing from the University of Idaho.

Professor Knighton's stories have been developed and/or produced at Westport Country Playhouse, Ghostlight Ensemble, Kibo Productions at Baron's Court Theatre, Cellunova, Purple Crayon Players, Plan B Theatre, Lumos Players, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, An Other Theatre Company, Brigham Young University, and Utah Valley University. She is a member of the Writing Lab at Plan-b Theatre and a 2024 Fred Rogers Writers' Neighborhood Fellow.

Professor Knighton received a 2-year SEED Carrot GEL Grant to write and produce two web series, AN OPEN LETTER TO ISABELLA BECK and BACKSTAGE BERNIE, both found on the JSK Stories YouTube Channel.

Previously she was the Artistic Associate: Literary at Arena Stage. She has worked as a dramaturg for Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center, Pioneer Theatre Company, Tuacahn, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, Salt Lake Acting Company, several independent films, and more.

Teaching

Presentations

Awards