Barry Witham is Professor Emeritus of theatre history. He has published in numerous professional journals and read papers at national and international conferences. He is co-author of Uncle Sam Presents, a memoir of the Federal Theatre Project and editor of Theatre in the United States: A Documentary History. His recent book, The Federal Theatre Project: A Case Study, (Cambridge, 2003) was honored as "an outstanding academic title" by Choice Magazine. Professor Witham also worked for four years as a professional dramaturg at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. He is a member of the National Theatre Conference and of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. In 2002, he was honored by the University of Washington with a Distinguished Teaching Award, and in 2003 he was the recipient of the Betty Jean Jones Award for teaching excellence by the American Theatre and Drama Society.

His 2013 book, A Sustainable Theatre: Jasper Deeter at Hedgerow, won the John W. Frick award for best book on American theatre and drama.