Call for papers IFTR 2024 Conference, Manila, Philippines, 15-19 July 2024 Rethinking the Theatrical Event after 27 years of the Working Group's activity

What more is there to say about Theatrical Events after 27 years of annual Working Group meetings, intensive discussions and criticism, and five book publications (and a sixth on its way)? Well, the present group members are convinced that the idea of theatre and performance as an event still offers theoretical perspectives and analytical tools of surprising quality and value. Therefore we would like to invite new participants and former members of the group to contribute fresh suggestions and future directions for our meeting in the Philippines in 2024.

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 the form of cultural policy, state regulations and laws, 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), Playing Culture (2014) and Theatre Scandals (2020).

You are welcome to submit an abstract (250 words max.) through the IFTR conference system. Deadline for abstract submission: 2 February 2024.

Contributions for the Philippines conference (3000-4000 words max.) should make explicit theoretical frames and chosen perspectives, conceived as a work-in-progress, with a clear idea but ample room for revisions and additions. Once the abstract has been accepted, the first version of the paper should be distributed among the group’s members about 3 weeks before the meeting. Since everyone will have read all the papers before we see each other, the meeting is mainly devoted to constructive discussions that should enable the authors to continue developing their ideas and writing a final text that will be discussed again at the Working Group’s meeting in 2025.

 

We are eager to get new members from outside the western hemisphere, and especially welcome proposals from new members.

 

The convenors will be happy to answer any questions and advise 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