Shirley Knight

Assistant Professor of Performing Arts-Musical Theatre

We're looking for a new colleague who will teach foundational and upper-level musical theatre courses, supervise capstone projects, and work with colleagues on curricular and school innovations aligned with the professional field of performing arts with a focus on inclusive excellence. Could that be you? If so, check out the full position descrition and apply.

Wichita State University - Theatre Program

Guest Artist: SHIRLEY KNIGHT

Photo of Shirley Knight Hopkins. Shirley Knight Hopkins, an internationally known stage, film, and television actress, was inducted into the College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame in its inaugural year 2015.

As a youth, Knight sang with an orchestra on radio and placed second in a state-wide talent show. As a teen she wrote a short story which was chosen for publication in a national magazine. Born and raised in Kansas, she graduated from Lyons high school and attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, and Wichita State University and has now earned her Doctor of Fine Arts from Lake Forest College.

She headed to Hollywood at age 20 and began her film career while studying at the Pasadena Theatre School. Knight went on to New York and began her theatre career, studying acting with Jeff Corey and Lee Strasberg and became a member of The Actor's Studio. She quickly earned her first credit on the television series Matinee Theater and by the early 1960s, she garnered nationwide exposure with Oscar nominations for her supporting role in the films "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" (1960) and "Sweet Bird of Youth" (1962). She has appeared in major films as "As Good As It Gets"; Publicity still from The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood featuring Shirley Knight. "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood"; and "Grandma's Boy", and television shows such as "Hot in Cleveland", "House", Desperate Housewives", Cold Case" and more.

In her long and distinguished career, Knight has been earned nominations for every major industry award including:

two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress
three Golden Globe nominations
- win for Best Supporting Actress in "The McMartin Trial" (1995)
seven Emmy nominations
- two wins for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series: "NYPD Blue" (1993) and Thirtysomething (1987)
and numerous other awards including the Golden Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress in "As Good as It Gets" (1997).

She has received many honors from her home state of Kansas, including the Kansan of the Year award in 2000 and the Governor's Distinguished Artist Award in 2007. Both were given to her by Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Film publicity still featuring Shirley Knight (far right).