To reassess the complex interconnections between Brecht’s work and various Asian cultures at the beginning of the 21st century, the International Brecht Society invites scholars and artists in theater, performance, and other cultural fields as well as doctoral students to an interdisciplinary symposium in Spring 2010 on the topic Brecht in / and Asia.

This call for papers broadly understands “Asia” to refer to the geo-political spaces of a “pluralized Asia” as well as to the reach of Asian traditions into the cultures of Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The organizational committee seeks proposals for papers, posters, panels, and workshops in the following four areas: Asia’s Brecht, Brecht’s Asia, Asia beyond Brecht, Brecht beyond Asia.

Since the primary conference language will be English, English-language proposals will be preferred. However, presentations in German are also welcome.

Please submit proposals for 20-minute presentations (250-350 words), abstracts for the poster sessions (100-150 words), workshop descriptions (100-150 words), or suggestions for panels (with three participants) by July 1, 2009 to:

Dr. Markus Wessendorf
Dept. of Theatre and Dance
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
1770 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822 USA

Email: wessendo@hawaii.edu
Fax: +1 808 956-4234

Submissions by email are preferred, but hard copy and fax will also be accepted. Presenters will be notified in late October 2009 about the committee’s selection of proposals, posters, and panels. The organizational committee reserves the right to constitute the panels and alter proposed themes or groups.

Symposium participants are expected to be, or become, members of the International Brecht Society. The regular registration fee for the symposium is $120 ($90 for students and retirees), if registered by February 2010, thereafter the conference fee increases to $150 / $120. All participants are required to register. A selection of symposium proceedings will be published in The Brecht Yearbook (volume 36 / 2011).

More information on the cultural program as well as other details of the symposium can be found on the conference website: manoa.hawaii.edu/brecht2010.

The IBS hopes to attract financing and sponsors to partially subsidize participants’ travel. Please note, however, that participants will have to arrange their own flight reservations and hotel accommodations.

Copyright 2009 International Brecht Society, University of Hawaii at Mānoa.

Tags: theatre researchers, partial funding available, Brecht