Call for Proposals: Performing the World Conference: Can Performance Change the World? 2010 NYC

Call For Proposals

Performing the World 2010: Can Performance Change the World? September 30- October 3, 2010 
New York City

The sixth Performing the World conference will be held in New York City from Thursday, September 30 through Sunday, October 3, 2010. The theme of this year’s conference is: “Can Performance Change the World?”

With this theme, we ask performance activists and scholars to reflect on and address the political aspects of their performance work; at the same time, we invite social change activists to reflect on and address the performance aspects of their political activities. We are looking for proposals —for panels, workshops, performances, demonstrations, installations, etc. — that address this overarching question.

The sponsors of Performing the World — the East Side Institute for Group and Short Term Psychotherapy and the All Stars Project, Inc. — are based in New York City. For decades, both organizations have worked to create a performance-oriented culture and community, in conscious and direct relationship to progressive social change. Our activities involve all neighborhoods and social strata in New Yo
rk City, and have created an international network of connections.

We envision Performing the World 2010 as a three-day “performance of conversation” with people from all over the world — scholars and researchers; teachers, therapists, social workers and community organizers; doctors and other health workers; theatre and other performance artists; union activists and business leaders; economists and political activists — on the subject of performance and the transformation of the individual, the community, and the world.

The question “Can Performance Change the World?” suggests many themes and topics. Here are a few:

• Does performance contribute to people seeing the world in new ways?
• Play, performance and learning in and outside of school
• Community, therapy and community therapy
• Playing at work and working at play
• New health care performances for connecting mind and body
• Therapy, performance and emotional growth
• How is the economy performing?
• What does performing on stage have to do with performing off-stage?
• Group creativity and social change
• Performance, activism and revolution

To submit a proposal, click here. Proposals are due March 1, 2010.

Conference Fees (fees are for the entire conference; there is no day rate) 

Before July 1, 2010: US$205 
After July 1, 2010: US$235

A key part of the Performing the World experience is the person-to-person connection — building new relationships with people from around the globe. If you need a place to stay during the conference, our International Host Committee will make every effort to find you one in the home of a New Yorker. Housing request forms will be available soon.

For any questions please contact conference producer Madelyn Chapman atmchapman@eastsideinstitute.org or 212-941-9400, ext 385.

 
Performing the World 2007 from Joseph Spirito on Vimeo.

Independent filmmaker Joe Spirito travels the globe to capture remarkable interviews with Performing the World participants from the Balkans to Taiwan. Hear what they have to say about performance and development.