Highlights From Theatre Symposium

Scholars Discuss Theatre and Citizenship at SETC’s Theatre Symposium Event

by Andy Gibb, Editor, Theatre Symposium 28

This year marked the 28th annual gathering of Theatre Symposium, a three-day scholarly exchange centered on a single subject. Academics from Florida to Washington state met April 12-14 on the beautiful grounds of Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA, to share their work on the topic of “Theatre and Citizenship.”

Dr. Charlotte Canning of the University of Texas at Austin delivered an opening keynote address that traced the long history of theatre’s role in defining citizenship in what is now the United States. Papers delivered over the course of the weekend addressed citizenship through examples drawn from modern-day Confederate pageants, the digital realm, and Muppet performances, to name but a few.

Some of this year’s presentations will appear in essay form in Theatre Symposium, the annual publication that accompanies the conference. Those attending next year’s SETC Convention in Louisville will also be able to hear a sampling of this year’s papers in the annual “Highlights of Theatre Symposium” panel.

The editor of Theatre Symposium would like to thank David Thompson, past SETC president and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Agnes Scott College, as well as associate editor Chase Bringardner, immediate past editor Sarah McCarroll, SETC Executive Director Susie Prueter and the Central Office staff for their assistance.

All are invited to attend next year’s Theatre Symposium event, where we’ll take up the topic of “Theatre and Race.”

Dr. Charlotte Canning of the University of Texas at Austin delivers her keynote address, “Theatre and Citizenship: Are and of Right Ought to Be.”

Look for selected papers from this year’s event in the journal Theatre Symposium 28, scheduled for publication in fall 2020.

All adult members of SETC receive a copy of the journal as a benefit of membership.