Ann McDonough holds a Ph.D. in theatre from the University of Minnesota and joined the UNLV faculty in 1990 to develop and launch the first internationally recognized senior adult theatre program. She published nine books on oral history theatre and theatre for senior adults, and was Director of Gerontology for a number of years at UNLV. In 2008, she was appointed dean of the newly developing Academic Success Center working with major areas of UNLV, including athletics, to increase retention-progression-completion of all undergraduate students. McDonough continued to work in theatre primarily with the Broadway Teachers Workshop based in New York, featuring leading actors, directors, designers and choreographers.