A pioneer for theatre and actor, director, playwright, and teacher, Joan Schirle ’65 taught broadly, including at the Juilliard School of Drama. Her work earned her a Lifetime Achievement Award and (ATME) Association of Theatre Movement Educators, among other recognitions. Joan also founded Dell’Arte International (DAI). She was devoted to the concepts of issue-oriented theatre and community transformation. At DAI, she led efforts to make original ensemble theatre that addressed power and privilege. Her most recent full-length play, “The Big Thirst,” on California water politics, premiered in 2016. Joan died Feb. 1, 2022, and is survived by sisters Ann Flynn ’64 and Tonine Nielsen ’67.