“Hadestown Panel”

Comparative Drama Conference

Orlando, FL, April 4-6, 2024

Deadline: October 12, 2023

This panel will examine Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown in any of its incarnations, from 2006 community theater project to 2010 concept album to 2019 Tony-winning Broadway musical. Topics might include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Analysis of specific songs, performances, or themes in Hadestown
• Adaptation of source myths about Orpheus, Eurydice, Hermes, Hades, Persephone, the Fates, and the Underworld
• Collaborative relationship between Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin
• Evolution of lyrics, music, and/or dramaturgy between various versions of Hadestown
• Impact of significant cast changes in different productions of Hadestown
• Relation of the “folk opera” to Mitchell’s other work as a singer-songwriter
• Comparative analysis of Hadestown in relation to work by other musicians, playwrights, or composers
• Socialist critique in Hadestown
• Climate crisis in Hadestown
• Gender dynamics in Hadestown
• Inclusive casting and racial dynamics in Hadestown

Prospective participants should keep in mind that this panel will convene in person in Orlando. Although a remote option may be available for portions of CDC 2024, only speakers who attend in person will be considered for this panel.

Proposals are welcome from presenters at any stage of their careers. Authors from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to submit proposals.

If you are interested in presenting a paper in the Hadestown panel, please send an abstract of no more than 250 words [including name, paper title, institutional affiliation and rank (if applicable)] by October 12, 2023 to Graley Herren at herren@xavier.edu. Three papers of 15-minutes apiece will eventually be included in this pre-organized panel. If a sufficient number of strong proposals are submitted, it may be possible to add a second panel on this topic. Applicants will receive an update on the status of their submissions by mid-October.