Patricia (Patty) Raun
Patricia (Patty) Raun, Professor
School of Performing Arts
323 Henderson Hall (0141)
195 Alumni Mall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-5335 | praun@vt.edu
Patty Raun is a professor of performance and voice. Her primary goal is to promote positive transformation by developing healthy and varied voices - both literal and figurative - in individuals, institutions, and communities.
Currently, her research focuses on the use of the tools of the theatre to develop communication skills in science and technology professionals -- helping them discover ways to be more direct, personal, spontaneous, and responsive.
Raun served as director of the School of Performing Arts from 2004 to 2016. Since August 2016 she has served as director of the Virginia Tech Center for Communicating Science.
- Production/Research Areas: Acting, Arts Leadership, Dialects, Voice and Text, Communicating Science
- Teaching Areas: Arts Leadership, Acting, Collaboration, Voice and Text
- Voice internship, American Repertory Theatre, Harvard University
- MFA, Pennsylvania State University
- BFA, University of Nebraska
- Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability, fellow, 2013 - present
- Actors' Equity Association, member, 1992-present
- Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) President 2010 - 2012, member 1987-present
- National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) Board member and Treasurer 2015 - 2017
- National Association of Schools of Theatre Accreditation Site Visitor 2009 - present
- Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
- Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC)
- Virginia Theatre Conference (VTC)
- The University of Nebraska’s Hixon-Hixon Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts Alumni Achievement Award, 2017
- Inducted into Virginia Tech's Academy of Leadership, 2017
- The Pennsylvania State University’s College of Arts and Architecture Alumni Award, 2011
- CLAHS Excellence in Administration Award, Virginia Tech, 2010
- University Exemplary Department (Theatre Arts Department), Virginia Tech, 2004
- Director of Top Girls, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Regional Winner, 1993
- Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award, 1992
- Outstanding Educator, Virginia Governor's School, 1992
What is the most important quality for any student in the performing arts to cultivate?
Curiosity!
What is your favorite place on campus? Why?
Anywhere that students are.
What is the most satisfying or rewarding moment of your artistic process?
Close reading of a heightened text. I love uncovering the mysteries of poetic texts and then letting my mind, body, and voice discover what they mean in me.
Who has most influenced you? Why?
My parents. They were/are remarkable people and I hope, someday, to be as compassionate, grounded, and responsible as they.
Unexpected Details:
I have always owned a Siamese cat or two. Right now Sergei and Katusha are numbers 7 and 8.
My husband and I were introduced by an Alexander teacher.
Among my prized possessions are handwritten letters to me, from Barbara Kingsolver, Jules Feiffer, and Helen Gurley Brown.