The International Association of Theatre Critics (IATC) has announced the theme and the call for papers for the 25th IATC congress which will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 15-20 June, 2010.
ATCA members are encouraged to register soon for this congress as well as to submit abstracts for papers on the theme by March 30.
Redefining Femininity in Today’s Theatre
IATC Congress Theme, Yerevan, Armenia
15-20 June, 2010
The concept of femininity seeks in today’s theatre its own place, language, identity and expression. In the 21st century, it has reemerged as a creative issue. In a sense, even the masculine subject is isolated in the phallocentric system. “Alliance,” for example, is emphasized over “self” as a recurring theme, “difference” over “homogeneity,” “sense and experience” over “abstraction,” as well as “nature” over “civilization.” Can we characterize and explain the various phenomena of this 21st century concept of femininity?
Some of the main elements characterizing the changing theatrical models which have emerged or developed under the aegis or influence of this new paradigm seem to encompass new subject matter; changes in plot and character; new developments and thinking in terms of the relationships between body and language; shifts in the encounters between the performers and the spectators; a reordering of the symbolic and thematic structures; a recognition of “the other”; poetic attention and expression to individuality and everyday-ness; fresh perspectives on the roles of memory, politics, gender, class, race, and family.
The IATC Yerevan congress seeks abstracts of no more than 500 words that would explore the theatrical contexts and new evolutions of a redefined and reinvigorated femininity in today’s theatre. Abstracts are due by March 30th, 2010, and should be sent to Margareta Sörenson soerenson@swipnet.se. Formal acceptance of papers will be announced at the end of March. Final versions of papers (15-20 minutes) must be submitted on May 15th, 2010.
