CFP: Dramaturgy as Public Criticism
A multi-disciplinary panel to be submitted to Theory &
Criticism and Dramaturgy Focus Groups
Association for Theatre in Higher Education conference,
Orlando, Florida, August 7-11, 2019
Public theatre criticism is disappearing from traditional
outlets (periodicals) at the same as dramaturgs and education/audience
development associates are increasingly developing initiatives and programming
to help audiences make meaning out of their theatrical experiences. Program notes,
audience study guides, interviews, talk backs, lobby displays, reading groups,
pre/post show lectures, and interactive experiences are now regular features of
theatre-going across theatres of various sizes, budgets, and missions. These
dramaturgical efforts function to contextualize and offer frameworks for
interpretation. In doing so, they overlap with the missions and activities of
the public humanities, public history, and museum studies.
This panel aims to explore how public-focused dramaturgy (as
opposed to production-focused dramaturgy) produces and teaches theatre
criticism. Potential topics include:
·
The place of theory in public-oriented
dramaturgical practice (i.e. a Foucauldian or Althusserian lobby display)
·
Comparative explorations between
classroom/academic criticism and public dramaturgy
·
Canons and vocabularies of interpretation and
aesthetics for the public
·
The place and problems of affect in audience
development
·
Best (and worst) practices for public criticism
·
Public dramaturgy as public pedagogy
Interested scholars and dramaturgs should send a brief
abstract (250 words) and CV or bio to Dan Smith (dansmith_251[at]yahoo.com)
and Gina Di Salvo (gina.disalvo[at]gmail.com)
by Sept 30 in preparation for panel submission in advance of ATHE’s deadline.
