Gender and Space in the Theater

This call for papers is for a proposed panel to be held at (dis)junctions:
Malappropriation Nation, the University of California, Riverside's
fourteenth annual graduate humanities conference on April 6-7, 2007.

The framework for (dis)junctions 2007: Malappropriation Nation might be
imagined in relation to what the 20th century American poet Susan Howe calls
the
idea of "Lawlessness," the acting outside of acceptable boundaries and
ideologies. In developing this year's theme, we are hoping to formulate
panels
in which conventional or popular theories are used and in turn
reworked/rethought/re-imagined in ways that may be more useful/empowering.
How
can we think of theories outside of their original intent? Correspondingly,
where do we witness artists/writers/theorists restructuring the conventions
of
tradition? Also, how can theories, ideas and artistic objects be used
against
their intended purposes; how can a theory be used against the author's
objective? We thus imagine this idea of "malappropriation" as being both
empowering and dis-empowering.

With this theme in mind, the panel on gender and space in the theater will
focus on the spatiality of the theater as a unique site in which gender can
be questioned, performed, and redefined. How does theatrical space function
as a venue of gender performativity? What does theatrical literature
(plays, performance art) offer that is different than literature that
consists exclusively of the written word? How has theater been redefined
and appropriated by feminists as a space of gender
deconstruction/reconstruction? How has theater functioned as a space for
non-normative sexualities?

Some possible topics may include:

Sitios y lenguas
Chicana theater
Theater as confrontational space
In-Yer-Face theater
Feminist reclamation of theatrical space
Gender performance inside/outside the theater
Drag/camp performances
(mal)appropriation of theatrical space
Spectacle

Please email abstracts (250 words) to laura.westengard_at_email.ucr.edu Also,
please note any A/V needs you may have - we can obtain VCRs, DVDs, and
projectors for laptops. Less standard equipment is possible (although not
guaranteed) upon request.

For further information, please visit last year's website and also check for
new updates on this year's conference.
http://www.english.ucr.edu/gsea/disjunctions/index.html

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Received on Sat Dec 09 2006 - 17:46:46 EST