EASTAP Annual Conference 2024
Ecosystems of Theatre and Performance

28 October – 2 November 2024

Deadline for Submissions: 28 February 2024

We are delighted to announce the EASTAP Annual Conference 2024, hosted by the Institute of the Arts Barcelona (Sitges, Spain), under the theme “Ecosystems of Theatre and Performance”. As host city, Sitges has been a biosphere destination since 2016, and is committed to environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

You can access the full conference website at this address, where you will also be able to register: https://www.iabarcelona.com/eastap2024/

The conference aims to bring together international scholars, practitioners and researchers, inviting submissions for papers and presentations that delve into different aspects of this theme and offer fresh insights into the dynamic field of theatre and performance.

We aim to make productive the terminological shift of the concept of ‘ecology’ to ‘ecosystems’ within the realm of theatre and performance. “Ecosystems of Theatre and Performance” invites proposals that explore the scientific-environmental, figurative, and economical dimensions of these dynamic artistic systems.

To read the full Call for Papers, please click here. To access the conference website, please visit: https://www.iabarcelona.com/eastap2024/.

Shifting from the perspective of “ecology” to “ecosystems” and addressing the three meanings of the term (scientific-environmental, artistic/figurative, and economical), possible conference topics include but are not limited to:

Scientific/environmental

  • Ecology of Theatre and Performance
  • Ecotheatre, ecodramaturgy and ecoperformance;
  • Mind, cognition, imagination, reflection
  • Ecology in plays, talking about ecology through theatre and performance;
  • Creative processes and practices related to the environment, sustainability, and climate change.

Artistic/figurative

  • Creative practices as acts of resistance, recognition, and regeneration;
  • Creative processes and practices focused on diversity and inclusion in the arts;
  • Creative practices in formal and informal spaces (e.g. conventional spaces, site-specific, site-responsive, alternative spaces);
  • Innovative performing arts practices that challenge the existing performing art norms;
  • Artist-led initiatives, responses, and strategies that address significant societal issues.

Economic/social

  • Sustainability and performing arts;
  • Innovative business model in the field of theatre and performance, as well as production processes focused on social justice, equity, and diversity, challenging the existing norms and question the status quo;
  • Artistic activism for social, economical and environmental change as well as in creating community;
  • Digitalisation as a facilitator for creative participation in a hybrid world;
  • Political-repressive dimension faced by theatre and performance, and the endangerment and eradication of artistic freedom.

We encourage interdisciplinary approaches spanning theatre, performance studies, cultural studies, sociology, education, technology, philosophy, comparative studies, natural and physical science, and more. This conference aims to facilitate meaningful discussions, knowledge exchange, and collaborations among diverse participants.

EASTAP Emerging Scholars Forum 2024

The Emerging Scholars Forum gives early career researchers an opportunity to present their research in a supportive environment with room for debate and feedback. It is also a community for networking with other emerging scholars and will include a social event. Papers for the ESF can follow the call theme of the conference, or present a topic from the scholar’s own ongoing research. Each participating scholar will have max. 15 minutes to present their paper to allow more time for discussion and feedback. We recommend that you focus your paper on a specific issue or problem you would like to discuss, instead of presenting the general scope of your research. Keep contextualisation short and focus on specific cases, theories, methodologies and/or concepts and the questions which you would like to raise in relation to these. You can also propose a 25-minute practice-led contribution, or a performative lecture.
If you wish to participate in the Emerging Scholars Forum, please submit as indicated below to the general conference email, stating clearly in the headline or the header that your paper is proposed for the Emerging Scholars Forum.

Convenors of the Emerging Scholars Forum: Julia Tonsberg, Aarhus University, Alice Golisano, University of Warwick

CONTRIBUTIONS ARE WELCOME IN THE FORM OF:

  • Paper (15 minutes max);
  • Performative Lectures (25 minutes – section for practice-led research contributions conducted by artist-researchers and practitioners – performative lectures must have a practical component – audience can be observers or participants).


IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Abstract submission deadline: 28 February 2024 (at 23.59)
  • Notification of acceptance: 28 March 2024
  • Registration deadline for presenters: 20 April 2024
  • Conference dates: 28 October – 2 November 2024
  • Fee: 130 Euros (70 Euros – Emerging Scholars only)

The fee will include: access to the special screening event of the Choreoscope Festival, specially arranged for EASTAP 2024; catering for the Opening and Closing events; coffee breaks; a corporate ticket agreement for partner venues, theatres, and/or festivals; access to the Museums of Sitges; and corporate aid for local transport in Sitges area.

Payment and registration will be through Entradium. Details will be given to accepted applicants via email.

NOTE: All proposers, conference contributors and conference attendants must be current members of the EASTAP European Association for the Study of Theatre and Performance with an active, paid subscription. Annual regular membership fee is 80 EUR and 40 EUR for PhD students. Membership Information can be found at https://eastap.com/registration/

SUBMISSION AND OTHER RELEVANT DEADLINES:

Abstracts should be no more than 300 words.
Please include:

  • a title;
  • keywords (up to 6);
  • indication if the submission is for a paper OR a performative lecture;
  • indication of your role (Academic scholar OR practitioner/artist);
  • affiliation;
  • indication of the selected fields;
  • equipment required for the paper presentation OR the performative lecture;
  • language of the paper presentation OR the performative lecture;
  • a short bio (100 words) for all authors

Submit your proposal as a Word document or PDF to eastap2024@iabarcelona.es by the above-mentioned deadline. Accepted languages are: English, French, Spanish and Catalan.

For inquiries or further information, please contact Armando Rotondi and Valentina Temussi (coordinators of the conference) at eastap2024@iabarcelona.es or visit our website at www.iabarcelona.com/eastap2024. CFP will be also posted on EASTAP website.

SCIENTIFIC AND ARTISTIC COMMITTEE

  • Airan Berg – Circus of Knowledge | University of Linz
  • Cosmin Chivu – Pace University New York | The Actors Studio Drama School | Sibiu Performing Arts Market
  • Alix de Morant – Université Paul Valery Montpellier 3
  • Nick Hollamby – Institute of the Arts Barcelona
  • Loránd János – Choreoscope Festival
  • Saumia Liyanage – University of the Arts in Colombo
  • Stefania Lodi Rizzini – Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3
  • Darko Lukić – Independent scholar
  • Erica Magris – Université Paris 8 – Saint-Denis
  • Eva Martz – Complutense University of Madrid | Eva Martz Contemporary Dance Company
  • Drew Mulligan – Institute of the Arts Barcelona
  • Christoph Pasour – International University of Barcelona
  • Magda Romanska – Emerson College | metaLAB (at) Harvard University & FU Berlin
  • Asta Petrikienė – Lithuanian Culture Research Institute
  • Andrew Sherlock – Liverpool John Moores University
  • Avra Sidiropoulos – Open University of Cyprus | Persona Theatre Company
  • Jozef Vlk – Debris Company
  • Daniel Wetzel – Rimini Protokoll

Additional Emerging Scholar Forum-focused Scientific and Artistic Committee

  • Michal Denci – National Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava
  • Milija Gluhovic – University of Warwick
  • Sarah-Jane Mason – Lacuna Festivals | University of Leeds
  • Simon Piasecki – Liverpool John Moores University
  • Fabio Pisano – LiberaImago Theatre Company
  • Anthony Trahearn – Institute of the Arts Barcelona