2017 Shakespearean Theatre Conference: Shakespeare 401: What’s Next?

Forbidden Planet, the classic sci-fi adaptation of The Tempest.

The second Shakespearean Theatre Conference will be held June 22-24, 2017, in Stratford, Ontario. In the wake of the Shakespeare quatercentenary, the conference offers an opportunity to think broadly and creatively about the afterlives and possible futures of Tudor-Stuart drama. How can old plays best speak to the diversity of contemporary identities? What new critical and creative directions seem particularly promising? Which established practices remain indispensable? What – or who – is due for a revival?

The conference is a joint venture of the University of Waterloo and the Stratford Festival, and will bring together scholars and practitioners to talk about how performance influences scholarship and vice versa. Paper sessions will be held at the University of Waterloo’s Stratford campus, with plays and special events hosted by the Stratford Festival.

Program

2017 Program (PDF).

Registration

Conference registration includes admission to all conference sessions, coffee breaks, and lunches, as well as to the opening reception on Wednesday, June 21. Fees are as follows:

Before June 1: $90      Regular
    $45      Graduate Students and Ph.D.’s without full-time employment
Free     University of Waterloo students*

After June 1:               $175    Regular
$90      Graduate Students and Ph.D.’s without full-time employment
Free     University of Waterloo students*

*University of Waterloo students may attend this event for free, but should contact Ken Graham or Alysia Kolentsis to indicate that they plan to attend.

Tickets to the conference banquet may be purchased at the time of registration for $35 per person. Follow the link below to register and to purchase banquet tickets. Please also let us know if you plan to attend the reception by registering for this free event.

Plays

We have reserved blocks of tickets for the performances of Timon Thursday evening, The Changeling Friday evening, and Twelfth Night Saturday evening, as well as for Romeo and Juliet and Bakkhai on Sunday. Tickets are available at two price levels, $49 + tax and $63 + tax, depending on seat location. Purchasing these is a two-step process. You must first register for the conference, after which you will be sent a promo code allowing you to purchase up to two tickets per performance through the Stratford Festival. You will also need to set up a customer account at the Festival site (this is easily done). If you wish to see additional plays or musicals while you are in Stratford, you will need to purchase tickets to these from the Festival at the regular prices.

Plenary speakers:

Travel information

Accommodation

We have reserved blocks of rooms with a special conference rate at the following hotels which are arranged below in order of distance from the UW Stratford Campus. Conference attendees need to mention the Shakespearean Theatre Conference at the Stratford Festival when booking. The first three hotels are within walking distance of the UW Campus, the conference site. Hotel rooms need to be booked by May 8^th, 2017 in order to guarantee these rooms/rates:

Parlour Inn, Room rate: from $159 CDN

Queen’s Inn, Room rate: from $139 CDN
Email: queensinn@rogers.com

Arden Park Hotel, Room rate: $179 CDN
Email: ardenpk@orc.ca

Festival Inn, Room rate: $129 CDN
Phone: 1.800.463.3581
Quote: “Shakespeare Theatre conference –Shakespeare 401” when booking

Unfortunately, the SGH Residence, which has provided inexpensive, hostel-style accommodations in the past, is not currently an option.

For a comprehensive listing of Stratford B&Bs please check out the Stratford Festival’s accommodations booking service here, visit Stratford Tourism Alliance, or visit Stratford and Area Bed & Breakfast Association.

For further accommodation, travel and dining information, we suggest you explore information on the Stratford Festival website.

More Accommodation options can also be found on Stratford Tourism.

Conference organizers

Kenneth J.E. Graham, Department of English, from the University of Waterloo
Alysia Kolentsis, Department of English, from the St. Jerome’s University
Katherine Laing, Education Administrative Manager, from the Stratford Festival