Tuesday, May 21, 2013
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New to ASTR?

 

Welcome to ASTR! Our vibrant organization offers many benefits and services to its members. Below you can find answers to frequently asked questions and links to other essential information about our publications, conferences, and other member activities and services.

 

Diversity of ASTR

The American Society for Theatre Research attracts scholars from a broad range of disciplines and seeks to promote cohesion in an increasingly diverse field. Among all fields in the arts and humanities in higher education, theatre and performance studies is taught in the widest number of departments. ASTR aspires to provide a forum for all theatre and performance scholars, in whatever department they may teach. It also welcomes independent scholars and other professionals involved in theatre and performance studies.

 

Benefits of Membership

 

  • Community of scholars in the fields of theatre, dance and performance studies
  • Forum for discussion and development of current scholarship
  • Opportunities to present work at the annual conference
  • Connection to a network of professional colleagues
  • Access to the ASTR member directory and news
  • Participation in the active, professional and collegial ASTR e-mail discussion list - serv
  • Eligibility for ASTR awards, fellowships, grants and prizes
  • Email announcements of important opportunities in the organization and in the field
  • Subscription to Theatre Survey, a premiere journal in the field, including online access via this website
  • Graduate Student Caucus (GSC), a nationally organized community of graduate students
  • Mentorship via conference mentors and the President's Reception for Younger Scholars

 

ASTR Conference - Conference Registration

 

  • ASTR meets annually in November in cities across North America with an interesting theatrical history. Graduate students and working scholars alike find the informal atmosphere an ideal environment for the exchange of ideas and for the chance to learn about the wide variety of programs in theatre and performance studies in the U.S. and other countries. 250 to 300 members typically attend each conference, which is co-sponsored by the Theatre Library Association.
  • The conference usually begins on Thursday and ends on Sunday during the weekend or two before Thanksgiving and consists of plenary panels, working sessions, career sessions (formerly "brown-bag lunches"), an awards luncheon, a book exhibition, and various sponsored receptions.
  • Plenary papers represent the best research in the field on topics related to the conference theme. The papers reflect the great range of work being in theatre studies by scholars at every phase of their careers, from graduate students to senior scholars. Plenary sessions are non-concurrent; all conference attendees are able to join to hear and discuss a group of related papers.
  • Working Sessions is the catch-all title for all sessions at the annual ASTR conference that are not plenary paper sessions. This category includes seminars, research groups, reading groups, forums, working groups, and workshops, as well as formats that have yet to be imagined or proposed. 
  • Career Sessions Brown Bags are informal professional development sessions held during a lunch break on one of the conference days. Established scholars lead discussions on a variety of subjects for the benefit of those just starting out.
  • Open calls for plenary papers and working sessions are generally circulated and posted to the website in winter, with proposals due in the spring for that year's conference. calls for participants in working sessions are are usually circulated in April, with proposals due in late May or June.
  • Conference registration information typically begins after Labor Day and coincides with dues renewal.
  • The conference planners often post useful information on hotel accommodations to aid participants in their travel planning.

 

Membership Costs & Procedures

 

  • Membership Dues – Regular: $115 / Retired: $40 / Student: $35
  • Non-U.S. postage surcharge: $7.50
  • The current ASTR dues year is September 1, 2010 – August 31, 2011.
  • Fill out our online membership form and pay dues through PayPal.

 

Opportunites to Get Involved

 

  • Graduate students are encouraged to join the Graduate Student Caucus
  • To inquire about service on committees, contact Jonathan Chambers.
  • ASTR has recently launched a fundraising campaign.

 

For more information... please contact us