Canadian Association of Theatre Research

Canadian Association of Theatre Research The Canadian Association of Theatre Research is a scholarly association that promotes research into Theatre of Canada, Canadian theatre history, and related performance practices. It connects researchers across provinces such as Ontario, Québec, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia and collaborates with institutions like the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, and the National Theatre School of Canada. The association engages with festivals, archives, and museums including the Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and the Canadian Museum of History.

History

Founded in 1975 amid a growth of academic programs at universities like York University, Concordia University, and Queen's University, the association emerged alongside organizations such as the Canadian Centre for Theatre Creation and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. Early members included scholars affiliated with the University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, Université de Montréal, and the University of Calgary. The group developed ties with cultural bodies such as Canada Council for the Arts, Heritage Canada, and provincial arts councils in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Over decades its activities intersected with movements represented by artists and companies like Tarragon Theatre, Factory Theatre, Canadian Stage, and practitioners associated with Wajdi Mouawad, Morris Panych, and Michel Tremblay.

Mission and activities

The association's mission emphasizes archival research at repositories such as the Library and Archives Canada, the Theatre Museum Canada, and university special collections at McMaster University. It supports collaborative projects with theatres including Centaur Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, and Solomon and the Wheelhouse Collective as well as international partnerships with bodies like the International Federation for Theatre Research and the American Society for Theatre Research. Activities include databases documenting productions in cities such as Vancouver, Halifax, Montreal, and Winnipeg, and partnerships with digital initiatives at Simon Fraser University, Ryerson University, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

Publications and conferences

The association publishes peer-reviewed journals and proceedings in collaboration with presses such as University of Toronto Press, McGill-Queen's University Press, and Routledge. Conference programming often features panels on topics connected to productions at the Stratford Festival, historical studies referencing archives like the Bishopsgate Institute, and interdisciplinary work tied to researchers from Harvard University, University of Cambridge, Université Laval, and Université de Sherbrooke. Annual conferences have been hosted in partnership with universities including University of Ottawa, University of Victoria, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and institutions like the Canadian Actors' Equity Association and the Playwrights Guild of Canada.

Membership and organization

Membership draws academics, independent scholars, archivists, and practitioners from institutions such as Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto), National Theatre School of Canada, Banff Centre for the Arts, and provincial conservatories in Newfoundland and Labrador. Organizational governance includes an executive board with roles often filled by faculty from University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, University of Western Ontario, and Brock University. Regional chapters coordinate events with local partners including the Globe and Mail Centre for the Arts, municipal cultural offices in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and community theatre groups such as Commonweal Theatre Company.

Awards and recognition

The association administers awards and fellowships recognizing scholarship connected to topics like Indigenous theatre, studies of playwrights such as Shawn Postoff and George F. Walker, and archival research utilized by companies including Soulpepper Theatre Company. Awards have been announced alongside prizes from organizations like the Governor General's Awards and fellowships funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Recipients have produced work published by McClelland & Stewart, presented at venues such as Centaur Theatre, and contributed to exhibitions at institutions like the Canadian Museum of History and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Category:Theatre research organizations