Performance, Playhouse, Practice, and Play
The Blackfriars Conference Returns!
This November, the American Shakespeare Center will welcome conference attendees back to the Blackfriars Playhouse, where we will join together each day of the conference to hear papers, celebrate attending the plays in our season, and enjoy other social events and activities. Additionally, for the first time ever, conference registration and submissions will be open to undergraduate students. Paper presentations and staging sessions will be in-person only, but we are excited to also offer remote participation for some colloquy sessions.
Read below for details about the submission process for this cycle.
Call for Papers
For the 2023 Blackfriars Conference, we are soliciting three different types of submissions:
Plenary papers – Since 2001, we have featured papers that explore the performative conditions of early modern plays, the effect of place on those performances, the practices of the players, and the texts themselves through time. These 10 minute (13 minutes for presenters employing actors to demonstrate a point) plenary presentations take place on the Blackfriars Stage. To present a plenary paper, please submit a 250-300 word abstract outlining your topic.
Colloquy leaders – Since 2009, we have convened conversations amongst interested scholars on a variety of subjects. These 60 minute colloquies are guided by a leader who determines their format and shape. Examples of past presentations include: panels of short papers, seminars in which each participant submits a paper to the group before the conference for discussion at the conference, and round-tables. To lead a colloquy session, please submit a 250-300 word proposal outlining your topic of conversation and proposed format.
Staging sessions – Since 2019, we have invited submissions for early modern, non-Shakespeare plays to include in ASC’s production year. These 20 minute staging sessions are “competitive” opportunities for proposers to make the case for why their play should be performed on the Blackfriars stage at this time (in other words, why this play here and now). Sessions will be adjudicated by ASC artistic staff and the winning submission will secure their title’s inclusion in the artistic season for the following year. To lead a staging session, please submit a 250-300 word proposal that includes the play title and an outline of your argument.
Topics for consideration in any of the above formats might include:
- Casting practice, rehearsal practice, performance practice
- Evidence of practice in the extant plays or documents
- Evidence of education or experience in plays or documents
- Connections between texts (editorial, allusions, character symmetry, etc)
- The status of ‘performance’ in early modern culture
- Audiences and audience response
- Props and costumes
- Spaces of performance
Conference Schedule
Thursday November 2
Friday, November 3
Saturday, November 4
Sunday, November 5
ONE OF AMERICA’S BEST MAIN STREETS
Named both one of the 20 Most Beautiful Main Streets in America by Reader’s Digest and one of the 25 Best Small Town Main Streets in America You Need to Visit ASAP by Oprah Daily, Staunton is the perfect escape. Surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Downtown Staunton is packed with boutique shopping, local award-winning restaurants, and extraordinary hotels—park you car and leave it all weekend!
Getting to (and around) Staunton
- Conference Venues are as follows:
- American Shakespeare Center, 10 S Market Street, Staunton, VA, 24401
- MBU at the Wharf, 23 W Johnson St, Staunton, VA, 24401
- RR Smith Center, 20 S New St, Staunton, VA 24401
- Staunton Innovation Hub, 11 N Central / 32 N Augusta, Staunton, VA 24401
- By Train: There is an Amtrak station in Staunton that can be accessed by the Cardinal line, but it is an unstaffed station. This means that there is no station crew. The train crew will direct you to the appropriate train car and help you with luggage, but your tickets must be printed before arrival and departure.
- By Air: Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) is approximately 45.8 miles away from Staunton, Dulles International Airport (IAD) is 144 miles, and Richmond International Airport (RIC) is approximately 115 miles. Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), just outside of Staunton, is a local airport, but is opening up a wider range of flights; it offers a quick shuttle to town.
- By Car: Interstates 81 and 64 provide easy access to Staunton, with several exits providing access. U.S. Routes 250 and 11 run basically parallel to the interstates and offer a more scenic drive, with the same ease.
- Parking in Staunton: Parking is ample within walking distance of the Playhouse. The New Street Parking Garage, the Johnson Street Parking Garage, and metered lot and street parking (at approximately $1/hour) offer spaces for those inclined to drive. Hotel 24 South provides parking for guests, as does the nearby Frederick House. You will find most other beds and breakfasts and hotels equally accommodating.
- Trolley system in Staunton: At a very reasonable 25-cent charge per ride, Staunton’s charming trolley system encourages further exploration around down. Be sure to check out the green route as it is a favorite among visitors in Staunton. More information regarding the trolley system can be found at Visit Staunton.
STUNNING ACCOMMODATIONS
With multiple places to stay downtown, the action is just steps away from your door. Check out our lodging partners for special deals and rates for ticket holders!
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| Blackburn Inn and Conference Center
Book a discounted ASC rate when you stay at Blackburn and see a show at ASC! |
Hotel 24 South
Mention the ASC discount when booking your room reservation (540-885-4848) or visit us online and use the promo code ASC4ME. This discount is for overnight accommodations only. Tickets are purchased through ASC. |
Frederick House
A charming small hotel right downtown! |
- Hotel 24 South, one of our conference locations, is also an historic hotel in downtown Staunton. It is located next to the Playhouse and is just a short walk from the main street.
- The Howard Johnson Express Inn and the Frederick House, as well as many bed and breakfasts in and around downtown, almost all attendees will be able to park their cars for the weekend and walk to all events. Other lodging within driving distance to the downtown area include The Blackburn Inn, Hampton Inn,Sleep Inn, Red Roof Inn,Quality Inn and Suites, and theBest Western.
- You can also visit www.visitstaunton.com for more information regarding transportation and accommodations.
AWARD-WINNING DINING
Staunton boasts a bustling culinary scene—and multiple wineries, breweries, and cideries. Explore our Dining Guide!
ON FOOT
Besides restaurants and hotels, Downtown Staunton is full of local shops featuring antiques, home decor, handmade jewelry, and fair-trade gifts. Woodrow Wilson’s Presidential Library is just one block from the Blackfriars Playhouse, offering tours of the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson alongside their museum exhibits.
A SHORT DRIVE
Access to Skyline Drive, a 105 miles road along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park, is just a short drive from Downtown Staunton and boasts beautiful scenic outlooks and hikes year-round. The Frontier Culture Museum is just down the road, offering glimpses into the lives of early inhabitants of the Shenandoah Valley complete with original homes brought from around the world and living history interpreters.
Learn more about Accessibility and More in our Plan Your Visit Guide