The Canadian Association for Theatre Research holds a conference each year that brings together theatre scholars, educators, professionals, and students from around the world. We welcome papers, workshops and performances on a wide range of theatre and performance studies topics, relating to both Canadian and international performance. These presentations are instrumental to defining our field and represent the most innovative research, methods, and theories emerging in performance-related disciplines. Our conference is an important site for building scholarly and creative community, and works to promote a environment where members can engage in vibrant discussion, develop professional alliances, make and renew friendships.

The CATR conference is held as part of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, a large gathering of scholarly associations that is hosted by a different Canadian university each year. Click here for more information about Congress. Each year, an outstanding paper by an emerging scholar is recognized by the Robert G. Lawrence Prize. Information about this award can be found here.

» Current Conference

The 2011 conference of the Canadian Association for Theatre Research (CATR) will take place at the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University in Fredericton, May 28 to 31, as part of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The theme of the 2011 Congress is Coasts and Continents: Exploring Peoples and Places / Rivages et Continents: Exploration des Peuples et des Lieux.

The mandate of the Association is to support and encourage research in theatre and performance in Canada, with a special interest in Canadian work. Therefore topics related to Canadian research are especially welcome. Graduate students are expressly invited to participate. All session organizers and presenters are invited to address the Congress theme; however, proposals that depart from the official Congress theme will also be accepted.

The 2011 CATR conference will offer a similar variety of participation modes as the 2010 conference in Montreal. These include praxis workshops, open paper panels, curated paper panels, seminars, and roundtables. Those who wish to submit proposals for more than one format may do so, though preferred mode(s) of participation should be identified.

The timeline for submission deadlines and acceptances is as follows:

• 17 Sept 2010 – Proposals from organizers for curated panels, seminars, and roundtables due
• 4 October 2010 – Seminar and curated panel topics announced
• 1 December 2010 – Proposals for praxis workshops due (workshops are distinguished by some form of audience participation); Application for participation in open and curated paper panels due
• 15 January 2011 – Application for participation in seminars and roundtables due

Download the full CFP here

Past Conferences:

• Conference 2010 – Le savoir branché/Interconnected Knowledge
• Conference 2009 – Capital Connections: Nation, Terroir/Territoire
• Conference 2008 – Thinking Beyond Borders-Global Ideas/Global Values
• Conference 2007 – Building Bridges
• Conference 2006 – Performing the City
• Conference 2005
• Conference 2004
• Conference 2003
• Conference 2002