Setting the stage: a theatre and performance dissertation writing group

Writing a dissertation can be lonely: we want to change that. Many of us first fell in love with theater because — through exploratory rehearsals, late-night tech runs, and joyful opening nights — we found camaraderie and connection, both of which can feel distant in graduate school. If theater is best practiced with others, how can our research and writing processes be shaped by the same commitment to community-building? 

This writing group is a space for intellectual exchange and mutual accountability among graduate students currently writing dissertations in drama, theater, and performance (generously defined). We believe our ideas are strengthened through sustained conversations and the productive friction of thinking in community. 

We will convene remotely once a month to workshop dissertation chapters and set individual writing goals for judgment-free accountability. Based on participants’ interests and needs, meetings may also include sharing strategies for organizing research and discussing the methodologies/theoretical frameworks shaping our projects. 

Our aim is not only to support each other as we write our dissertations but also to cultivate a durable sense of intellectual community. 

Responsibilities and Commitments:

• Commit to attending a 2-hour remote meeting once per month

• Circulate written work in advance when scheduled for feedback

• Provide thoughtful, constructive responses to each other’s work

• Contribute to a respectful, engaged, and collegial environment

Timeline: 

This writing group will run from November 2026 to October 2027, and while specific meetings will be scheduled around participants’ availability, we plan to organize an initial in-person meeting at ASTR’s 2026 conference in Minneapolis (November 12–15) to inaugurate the group and an in-person conference in New York City in October 2027 to celebrate a year of shared thinking. 

To apply: 

To be eligible, you must be a PhD candidate with an approved dissertation prospectus in drama, theatre, or performance with plans to defend after October, 2027.

For consideration, please submit this brief application form by September 1, 2026. The application asks for a short bio and a PDF of your already-approved prospectus. Decisions will be announced by September 30. 

Note: We understand that prospectus requirements can vary widely by department. Please submit whatever document you’ve already written. There is a section for additional context if you feel your application requires it. 

For questions about the writing group or application process, please reach out to Wesley Cornwell (wfc2112@columbia.edu)