Call for Proposals: 2016 ASTR Conference — Theatre Library Association Plenary
Trans(in)formation
2016 ASTR Conference — Theatre Library Association Plenary Call for Proposals
November 3-6, 2016
Minneapolis Marriott City Center, Minneapolis, MN
Transmission, translation, transformation, transplantation — these are just some of the issues that performing artists, theatre historians, archivists and librarians regularly confront. While the trans- prefix seems ubiquitous today, for the 2016 ASTR Conference, the Program Chairs have focused in upon how trans- “signifies a blending, while it recognizes the complexities of such interweavings and raises questions about historical desires to unravel or untangle.” This is an exciting theme for performing arts archivists, librarians, and historians to consider, since we spend much of our time trying to “unravel and untangle” complexities surrounding the collection, preservation, and study of theatrical primary source materials.
With this plenary, the Theatre Library Association hopes to open up discussions surrounding our unraveling and untangling efforts. To this end, we invite proposals for presentations (not to exceed 20 minutes) that engage and reflect upon how this year’s trans- theme relates specifically to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of performing arts resources.
Panelists are invited to consider the following:
- How can performing arts archivists, librarians, and historians facilitate the transmission of information both within and across disciplines?
- What are the challenges for researchers trying to understand “transplanted” artifacts — those that, by virtue of their preservation, are now being examined through the lens of a new time and place?
- How can theatre performers and historians meet the challenges of translating texts among languages and cultures?
- How does the act of transferring live performance onto a fixed media (video, film) fundamentally change what is transmitted to the audience?
- How can the study of archives and primary sources transform the way in which we create and understand theatre?
- How can we adequately describe and administer collections and artifacts related to people, performance, and events that transgress traditional categories?
An abstract (250 word maximum), including name, affiliation, mailing and email addresses, should be emailed to both Beth Kattelman (kattelman.1@osu.edu; Ohio State University, Plenary Chair) and Matt DiCintio (matthew.dicintio@tufts.edu; Tufts University, TLA Executive Board). All submissions must be received by April 15, 2016, and should be sent as MS Word e-mail attachments. Full-length papers will not be accepted.