“Enveloping Worlds: Toward a Discourse of Immersive Performance,” edited by E. B. Hunter and Scott Magelssen, has received the Association for Theatre in Higher Education's (ATHE) 2026 Edited Works Award.
Among the volume's contributors is Dr. Jenny Kokai, director of the School of Theatre and Dance in ϳԹ’s College of Design, Art & Performance, whose essay, “Why Be a Bad Guy? Immersive Performance and Transgression at the Disney Theme Park,” co-written with Tom Robson, expands upon themes explored in her previous books and essays. Notably, the award citation for “Enveloping Worlds” drew attention to “the collection's range of topics, from tabletop role-playing games to Disney theme parks,” specifically referencing her work.
The honor recognizes edited projects in theatre and performance that demonstrate complex and critical engagement with dramatic texts, performances, histories, theories, practices and pedagogies. Founded in 1986, ATHE is a comprehensive nonprofit professional membership organization that serves the interests of its diverse individual and organizational members, including college and university theatre departments and administrators, educators, graduate students and theatre practitioners.
Read more about the award winners at