Innovative Research Conference at Wits in November
November 3, 2009 - The Division of Dramatic Art in collaboration with Drama for Life, Wits School of the Arts, will be hosting the 2009 Africa Research Conference in Applied Drama and Theatre, presented from November 12 to 14 2009, at the Wits Main Theatre, Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
This year’s conference will aim at facilitating dialogue across disciplines concerning the role of Drama and Theatre in HIV and Aids education, prevention and rehabilitation.
Inspired by its initial intent to foster research for drama and theatre in Africa, the ensuing Applied Drama and Theatre in HIV/Aids conference will provide an opportunity for in-depth research, innovative practice and network building for academics and practitioners working within applied drama and theatre, and associated fields of study.
Starting from 08h00 on Thursday morning, the conversations will centre on research paradigms, the aesthetics of the art form, and the interface with other disciplines. Guiding this discourse is the overall theme, “Interrogating drama and theatre research and aesthetics within an interdisciplinary context of HIV/Aids”.
The following three underlining topics will be discussed:
1. Interrogating ‘Research as Practice’ and ‘Practice as Research’ in Applied Drama and Theatre in the context of HIV and AIDS.
2. Interrogating the aesthetics of Drama and Theatre within the context of interdisciplinary demands.
3. Interrogating Applied Drama and Theatre as an interdisciplinary field.
Within these dialogues, the following questions will be raised:
a) What research paradigms are appropriate for Applied Drama and Theatre practice?
b) What role does interdisciplinary work play in ensuring that Applied Drama and Theatre achieves its goals of transforming HIV/Aids stigmatization and discrimination into a culture of tolerance and acceptance?
c) How have the different interdisciplinary fields represented HIV/Aids?
d) Can Applied Drama and Theatre change the continent’s consciousness around HIV/Aids?
e) How can Applied Drama and Theatre retain its aesthetic integrity within the context of other interdisciplinary fields?
On November 15, 2009 the Africa Research Conference will also be hosting the World Alliance for Arts Educators Regional Summit, in preparation for the 2nd World Conference on Arts Education to be held in Seoul, Korea, May 25 to 28 2010. Dialogues of relevance to arts educators will be introduced during the course of the conference with the concluding session taking place on the November, 15, 2009.
Registration forms are available on the DfL website, for more information, or contact:
Inge James / Dineo Lusenga at:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call her on 011 717-4658
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call her on 082 771 1340