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Welcome to the Theatre and Performance Research Association Annual Conference (TaPRA)

TaPRA is an academic organisation based in the UK devoted to sharing and promoting research excellence through annual conferences, working groups, interim events, postgraduate symposia, and prizes. The organisation also works closely with DramaHE to respond to and guide UK government policy and funding in the field. TaPRA is committed to sharing and exchanging research in the field by fostering a collaborative ethos, and by creating a platform for multiple voices in various stages in their academic trajectory, and from diverse backgrounds. TaPRA welcomes international members, and encourages the participation of underrepresented scholars, and those who work outside of dominant academic norms. To support and enhance our vision, this year we have launched “The TaPRA Conference Manifesto”. This document reflects our shared vision and intention for the future of the organisation, and the sector at large, to establish and commit to the annual conference’s political and intellectual agendas. In using this manifesto as a companion in the conceptualisation and organisation of our conferences, we wish to initiate dialogues that foreground and amplify the visibility and works of Black, class and caste-oppressed, disabled, Global Majority, Indigenous, queer, Trans and non-conforming, and similarly other marginalised peoples in the fields of Theatre, Performance and Dance Studies.

The Theatre and Performance Association Research Annual Conference 2023 will be hosted by the University of Leeds, from Wednesday 30 August to Friday 1 September 2023.

The conference will take place on the university campus, with working group sessions and keynote talks held in seminar rooms and studios at the centre of the Leeds campus. The main plenary will take place in live streaming enabled Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre. Performances and some working group activities will make use of a variety of dedicated performance spaces. The conference dinner will be held in The Refectory, a beautiful contemporary venue at the heart of the main campus famous for its musical history. The Rolling Stones, Elton John and Bob Marley have all graced this venue with their presence and perhaps one of the most famous live recordings ever made, The Who Live at Leeds, was recorded here. On campus, accommodation is available during the conference at our flagship residence, Storm Jameson Court. Offering a 24-hour reception and access to a large social space this is an ideal place to stay. Guests of Storm Jameson are also able to make use of the on-campus gym and pool facilities at the recently renovated Edge Gym.

It will be a hybrid event, facilitating participation by online delegates alongside those attending in-person. Since our conference in 2021, we have been able to experience many benefits of online conferencing, such as increased opportunity for international presenters, lower financial costs to participate, greater accessibility for those with caring responsibilities etc. The 2023 conference at Leeds aims to retain the wider opportunities for engagement that online platforms offer, whilst also creating a space for in-person engagement and social interaction

Header photo credit: Kate Lawrence’s Roped Together, performed as part of the Performing Mountains symposium. 2018. Photo by Tom Joy

Registration closes 16 August

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TaPRA 2023

Theatre and Performance Association Research Annual Conference

Overview

In-person delegates will also be able to attend:

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