Cultural Policy, Institutionalism, Values, Reception and Democratization of Performing Arts – Rethinking the Theatrical Event

This year the Theatrical Event Working Group is Celebrating 28 years of annual meetings, intensive discussions and criticism, five book publications and a sixth on its way. Every year, the group members find more surprising theoretical perspectives and analytical tools of quality and value.  We welcome new participants, current and former members of the group, to contribute fresh suggestions and future directions for the meeting in Cologne 2025.

Contributions may deal with any kind of historical or contemporary theatrical event in the broadest sense, i.e. from traditional theatre performances to installations, rituals and ceremonies, festivals, concerts, games etc. Of special interest this year is the Cultural Context in form of Cultural Policy, State regulations and laws and the Contextual Theatricality in form of democratization of performing art institutions and its impact on the Theatrical Event as a whole. The point of departure should always be a particular event described and analysed from a specific perspective: its conventions, organisation, time and place, the encounter between performers and spectators or the general character of playing. In all cases, cultural and other key contexts should be taken into consideration.

Contributors are expected to get familiar with the books the Working Group has published, in particular some of the theoretical ideas and models which were presented in Theatrical Events (2004), Festivalising! (2007) and Playing Culture (2014); a book on Theatre Scandals (2020).You are welcome to submit an abstract (250 words max.) through the IFTR conference system. For submitting an abstract, please join the IFTR or renew your membership. please visit the Cambridge Core website. Deadline for abstract submission: 15 January 2025.

Contributions for the Cologne conference should make explicit theoretical frames and chosen perspectives, conceived as a work-in-progress. Once the abstract has been accepted, the first version of the paper (no more than 3-4000 words, with a clear idea but ample room for revisions and additions). should be distributed among the group’s members about 3 weeks before the meeting. Following a brief presentation, our discussions during the conference will primarily focus on providing constructive feedback, as all participants are expected to read the papers in advance. This process aims to help authors refine their ideas and further develop their drafts into final texts, which will be reviewed again at the Working Group meeting in 2026.

The convenors will be happy to answer any questions and advise the new members of the group:

 

Dr. Smadar Mor, Tel Aviv University: smadarmo@tauex.tau.ac.il

Associate Prof. Rikard Hoogland, Stockholm University: rikard.hoogland@teater.su.se