January 2022

Dear ATDS colleagues, 

Greetings in this still new year. I hope 2022 has brought health and peace to you, and that you are finding ways to thrive personally and professionally. As we near the two-year anniversary of living in pandemic mode I am reminded that the connections we foster in communities such as American Theatre and Drama Society remain critical to continuing our work and our engagement with one another. Thank you all for your ongoing support of ATDS, and each other as individuals, scholars, and artists.

ATDS remains committed to supporting and expanding our membership. Some of our current initiatives and ways to get involved include:

• ATDS awards are now accepting applications! Please apply or nominate a fellow scholar or mentor for recognition and support.
• Anti-racism Initiative co-chairs Dr. Ariel Nereson and Dr. Jonathan Shandell have organized monthly “anti-racism reading circle” events for ATDS members throughout Spring 2022. These events, inspired by members’ responses to a survey circulated last year, will convene ATDS members to discuss key texts (either in entirely or focusing on selected sections) related to antiracism in the profession. Dates and titles for the reading circle events will be:  
  • Friday, 2/25 – 3-4:30pm EST / 12-1:30 PST – The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop by Felicia Rose Chavez. To participate in this first      reading and discussion please complete this online registration form by Monday, February 21st: https://forms.gle/aRN9vKFaa5cEj9Wj6. A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants prior to the event.
  • Friday, 3/25 – 3-4:30pm EST / 12-1:30 PST – Worldmaking by Dorinne Kondo
  • Friday, 4/29, 3-4:30pm EST / 12-1:30 PST – Black Feminism Reimagined: After Intersectionality by Jennifer Nash
  • Wednesday, 5/25, 3-4:30pm EST / 12-1:30 PST – texts by bell hooks (selections TBD)

Watch for additional workshop, discussion, and resource information in the coming weeks.

• Theatre Annual’s CFP has been extended until February 15, 2022! Submit your work today!
• The “Asian American Dramaturgies” special issue of the Journal of American Drama and Theatre edited by ATDS Vice President Dr. Donatella Galella will publish this spring, one of the first journal issues in our field dedicated to Asian American theatre.
• ATDS is marking its 35^th Anniversary through exciting conference programming and special events at ATHE in Detroit July 28-31, 2022. Please plan to join us for reflection, conversation, and celebration!
• ATDS will support five $100 graduate student conference subventions for the ATHE 2022 conference. Stay tuned to the listserv and social media for a call for applications.
• ATDS will circulate calls in 2022 for the following editorial positions:

Associate Editor, Theatre Annual

Book Review Editor, Theatre Annual

Guest Editor, Spring 2023 special issue of Journal of American Drama and Theatre

•  We continue to offer ATDS memberships on a pay-what-you-can basis. Renew, join, or gift a membership today!  

ATDS is a vibrant, thriving scholarly/creative community thanks to your investment and support. I hope you will find ways to participate in our many initiatives and will reach out to me with suggestions for more.

As always, thank you for your contributions to the field and to ATDS.

Jocelyn L. Buckner, ATDS President