Anthony's research interests include drama and early American society, Gothic drama and melodrama, 18th/19th century popular culture, women and theatre, and early celebrity in the United States.

M. Susan Anthony received her Ph.D in Theatre History and Criticism from the University of Maryland (College Park), an MA in Theatre from Binghamton University in New York, an MA in College Student Personnell and her BS/BAC degrees in Communication from Bowling Green State University. At the University of Maryland, Anthony also directed "Scholars in the Arts," a Living-Learning program.

At DePauw since 2000, Anthony teaches Theatre History, Theatre Criticism, Theatre, Culture, and Society, Gender and Theatre, Acting, Introduction to Communication Studies, and other communication courses.

Author of Gothic Drama and American Society and numerous journal articles, Anthony also created an academic website (Early American Actresses) and constructed a database of performances by 18th century actresses in the United States, the earliest celebrities in this country. The database chronicles the roles, date, and location of over 12,500 performances of over 150 women performers in major theatrical centers of the United States between 1790 and 1810.

In addition to directing in academic venues, Anthony has directed plays in Silver Spring MD, and Indianapolis. She has performed at the Smithsonian, at regional theatres in New York state, in summer rep in Ohio, and at IndyFringe in Indianapolis. She also has been featured in industrials with Artistic Enterprises and in voice over work. She is an Equity Membership Candidate.

Anthony received the Mid-Career and the Lifetime Achievement award from the Theatre, Film, and New Multi Media division of the National Communication Association. She has been the recipient of two Faculty Fellowships during her time at DePauw and held the Mary Alice Braden Chair from the Department of Communication and Theatre.

Anthony served as Chair of the Theatre, Film, and New Multi Media division of the National Communication Association. At DePauw she chaired the Faculty Development Committee and the Personnel, Policy and Review Committee, and the Library Committee.