Call for Papers: Special Issue on Devising Theatre

Theatre Topics seeks essays on devising theatre for a possible special issue in March 2005. Articles can range from 10–30 pages and can engage with the theories and practices of devising theatre from any perspective. Devised theatre is defined in this issue by author John Schmor as work which is “not initially or primarily scripted by a playwright or dominated by a director-auteur’s score, but instead which is created primarily by performers, with designers and directors in intensive collaboration.”

Possible questions to consider:

Considering history and current practice of devised theatre, where were we, where are we, and where are we going?

What are the challenges of devising theatre within a traditional academic production model?

How does devising theatre redefine our relationship with our students and our colleagues?

What are the staging and directing practices which guide this work?

How does devising impact on the role of the designers?

How do methodologies for scripting or adapting non-dramatic literature for performance utilize, borrow from or negate previous approaches?

What impact will the increased use of devising have on the training of our theatre artists?

Can devising methodologies be incorporated into the curriculum?

What are the possibilities for increased interaction with professional theatre artists through devising?

Inquiries are welcome. Please address them to the Editor.

Deadline for submissions July 1, 2004.