Dr. Chandra Owenby Hopkins Publishes First Book, Southern Stages
In the Spring of 2020, as the world navigated the first waves of the Covid-19 pandemic and adjusted to a remote lifestyle, Dean of the Converse College for Women Dr. Chandra Owenby Hopkins found a way to make the best of the new situation as she set to work penning her first book Southern Stages: Space and Memory in U.S. Performance.
Southern Stages offers a new perspective of the American South through the lenses of performance and memory. Hopkins employs cultural memory and lived realities of Black and white communities to examine the earliest and most enduring southern stages: the playhouse and the public square.
Hopkins said, “The central focus of examining the plays and performances of the American South through the specific intersection of space and memory began in my doctoral work at the University of Kansas where I completed my Ph.D. However, my interest in southern spaces probably began when I was a little girl growing up in rural North Georgia where I spent a lot of time playing in the woods!”
Hopkins was accepted into a “First Book Bootcamp” hosted by the American Theatre and Drama Society (ATDS) for first-time authors of scholarly works in Spring 2020. The ATDS writing boot camp is not for the faint of heart. In only one week, prospective new authors were paired with a scholar mentor in the field of theatre history and performance studies – by the end of the week, participants had a finalized book pitch which they sent to multiple participating scholarly presses.
After meeting with press editors, Dr. Hopkins ultimately collaborated with Dr. Heather Nathans, the series editor of the University of Iowa Press’s Studies in Theatre and Culture. Dr. Hopkins said, “Through that process I learned a lot and was thrilled to find a wonderful “match” with the brilliant, compassionate, and sharp editor, Dr. Heather Nathans.”
Hopkins also credits the many supportive colleagues at Converse University who were sounding boards for ideas, and helped her navigate the ups and downs of the publishing journey.
In early 2021, the University of Iowa press offered Hopkins an advance book contract – and around two weeks later, Hopkins was named as the inaugural Dean of the Converse College for Women (CCW) at Converse University. In her role as Dean, Dr. Hopkins leads the programmatic planning for the Women’s College and has developed signature experiences and opportunities within the Women’s College.
Hopkins found support both at home and at work as she spent the next four years writing Southern Stages: Space and Memory in U.S. Performance, and navigating her new role as Dean. Not to mention being a mom to two boys, and supporting her husband Boone J. Hopkins as he entered his new role as Converse University President in 2022.
“I spent the next four years working really, really hard to finish the book while also building the CCW and supporting my incredible spouse as he assumed his presidency of Converse,” Hopkins shared. “I am forever and profoundly grateful to my two sons, Owen and Jack, who were such champions of me throughout the writing process and to my incredible husband, Boone, who without his support, I never would have been able to finish my book.”
Hopkins also credits the many supportive colleagues at Converse University who were sounding boards for ideas, and helped her navigate the ups and downs of the publishing journey.
The labor of love came to fruition at the end of 2025 when, just in time for her birthday, Dr. Hopkins finally held her published book in her hands.
In January of 2026, Hopkins had a public book reading and signing at Hub City Bookshop, where family, friends and members of the Converse University Board of Trustees were in attendance.
“I have long admired and appreciated the important work of the Hub City Writers Project and our amazing Hub City Bookshop in downtown Spartanburg. After spending years reading all of the names that adorn the “author wall” inside the bookshop, it was a gratifying and thrilling experience to add my name to the walls of such a special space in our community.”
“I am so grateful to the incredible Hub City Bookshop team who welcomed me graciously and supported the event, and to my Converse colleagues, students, and friends whose presence and ongoing support mean the world to me.”
Dr. Chandra Owenby Hopkins
After a brief introduction from Converse University Associate Professor of Child and Family Studies Dr. Julie Jones, Hopkins spoke with guests about her writing process, theoretical framework, case study sites, and major themes of the book. Hopkins said, “I am so grateful to the incredible Hub City Bookshop team who welcomed me graciously and supported the event, and to my Converse colleagues, students, and friends whose presence and ongoing support mean the world to me.”