Authoring Theatre - call for proposals
New performance, text and the return of the auteur
An international conference
Thursday 14 - Friday 15 July 2011
Central School of Speech & Drama, University of London, has re-scheduled the Authoring Theatre conference and welcomes new proposals for papers, provocations and workshops from theatre scholars, writers, scenographers, choreographers and comedians.
Debates about authorship have been ongoing in all areas of theatrical production. In recent years we have seen a ‘return to writing’, but what of the sceno-graphic inscription of the stage as a form of authorship? What of choreo-graphy? Not to mention the rise in autobio-graphical performance? And what forms of authorship are being innovated via the appropriation of social networking platforms, new technology and the involvement of non-theatre participants in performance work by companies such as Blast Theory, Rimini Protokoll and The Builders Association?
The aim of this conference is to consider, respond to, reject or rejoice in a return to authorship.
- Are we witnessing the return of the auteur?
- What of non-verbal modes of authorship in theatre and performance?
- Are scenographers and choreographers authors of performance?
We are delighted to announce that Professor Christopher Balme, who holds the chair in theatre studies at the University of Munich, has confirmed as one of the keynote speakers with a presentation on 'The ethics and aesthetics of sampling in contemporary performance'. He currently edits the journal Forum Modernes Theater and is president-designate of the International Federation of Theatre Research.
Other confirmed speakers include Dan Rebellato of Royal Holloway, University of London, Ola Animashawun of the Royal Court Theatre, Adrian Howells, performance artist, and roundtables in association with the RSC.
Proposals are invited that address the themes of the conference. The precise meaning of the terms ‘Authoring’ and ‘Theatre’ are open to interpretation by contributors.
Proposals should specify one of the following formats:
- 20-minute provocation or
- 20-minute paper presentation
- 2-hour workshop
Proposals should be 300 words in length, with a 150-word biography of the key presenter(s). Proposals should be submitted to the conference organisers at authoringtheatre@cssd.ac.uk by Monday 7 March 2011.
In keeping with Central’s conferences, Authoring Theatre is both an industry expo and a sharing of new thinking, where cutting-edge practices and new scholarship connect. We are pleased to say that the conference is being developed with the participation of the Hampstead and Roundhouse Theatres.