Director Markus Potter honored with Scholarly Achievement Award

We’re thrilled to announce that Stalking the Bogeyman director Markus Potter has been named a recipient of the 2025 University Scholarly Achievement Award from the University of Kansas.

Markus, an associate professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance, was honored in the Arts and Humanities category; an acknowledgment of his outstanding contribution to both academia and the creative arts.

The award is a testament to Markus' continued exploration of complex human stories through performance, direction, and research. His film Stalking the Bogeyman, co-produced by Freud & Ecstasy, is a haunting and deeply moving adaptation of investigative journalist David Holthouse’s personal account of plotting to kill the man who raped him when he was seven years old. The film has resonated at festivals around the world for its unflinching honesty and theatrical power.

Chancellor Douglas A. Girod praised Markus and the other awardees, saying, “These scholars have all helped elevate our university through their work, and their achievements demonstrate how KU benefits society as one of the nation’s leading research universities.”

Markus was honored alongside fellow recipients Jennifer Raff (Anthropology) and Elaina Sutley (Engineering).

We are incredibly proud of Markus, whose impressive body of work bridges storytelling, advocacy, and scholarship. His recognition by KU is a milestone not only for his career but also for the broader artistic mission we share: to spark dialogue and bring vital stories to life on screen and beyond.

Bravo and our heartfelt congratulations, Markus!

(Images courtesy of the University of Kansas)