This is a call for papers for the 2016 Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium held at Villanova University.

The goal of the Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium is to provide a forum for theatre scholars and practitioners to share their research and enter into a dialogue about current trends in theatrical practice and scholarship.

Conference Theme: "Our Day Will Come": Reclaiming the Feminine in Irish Theatre

Date: Friday, April 29, 2016

Guest Speaker:
Garry Hynes
Artistic Director of the Druid Theatre Company

Garry Hynes founded Druid Theatre Company in 1975 and has worked as its Artistic Director from 1975 to 1991, and from 1995 to date. From 1991 to 1994 she was Ar­tistic Director of the Abbey Theatre, Dublin.

Internationally, Garry has worked with The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Royal Court (UK), and with Second Stage and Manhattan Theater Club in New York; with The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C; for Center Theater in Los Angeles and with the Spoleto Festival (USA).

Awards include; a Tony Award for Direction for The Beauty Queen of Leenane (1998), the Joe A. Callaway Award for Outstanding Direction for The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh (2009), a Special Tribute Award for her con­tribution to Irish Theatre (2005), and Best Director at UK Theatre Awards 2012. In December 2010, Garry was appointed Adjunct Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies at her alma mater, NUI Galway.

Papers:
The Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium is seeking abstracts for papers for our 10th annual gathering of theatre scholars. This year's PTRS seeks to highlight the work of new scholars in the area of women and Irish theatre. In response to the events surrounding the absence of female playwrights in the Abbey Theatre’s programming (titled “Waking the Nation”) commemorating the Easter Rising of 1916, this conference seeks to explore the role of women in Irish theatre. We are inviting proposals that deal with all aspects of Irish theatre, including but not limited to playwriting, directing, acting, design, scholarship, production, and administration. While we are interested in the current artistic climate and its opportunities for women, we will also accept proposals that deal with historicism and the reclamation of the role of women in the history of Irish theatre. This symposium offers the opportunity to present work in progress and to share ideas with other researchers. Participants’ papers will be eligible for publication inPraxis: The Journal for Theatre, Performance Studies and Criticism.

Abstracts of 250 words or less should be submitted along with a brief bio to PTRS@villanova.edu.


The deadline for all submissions is Thursday, March 31, 2016.


Alix Rosenfeld
PTRS Coordinator
Research Scholar - Theatre Department
Villanova University