Conference

THE NEXT CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN  MUMBAI, INDIA  November 1st - 7th, 2009

Theme of VIII Conference -    Liberty & Tolerance

Sub Themes   

1. Identity, Culture and Diversity

2. Non Violence –a way of living

3. Challenges of Patriarchy

4. Role of Theater in Socio-Political Scenario

5. Role of humor in creative writing

 

Conference Aims

To bring all women playwrights from all over the world with a view to share and enrich the experience in writing.

To explore new emerging relationships between nation states, culture, races, languages, religion and faiths with special reference to liberty and tolerance.

To explore the culture ties in the South Asian regions as expressed in story telling traditional dance and music opera and epics.

To evolve a liberal platform for theoretical discussion and practical performances and writing.

To create a platform for showcasing, reading, story telling for Indian Women playwrights.

To explore the history of playwriting, directing, producing, and acting by women in India.

To create spaces and opportunities for national and international networking and artistic exchange.

To showcases and read plays written by women from all over the world with special reference to South Asia Pacific region.

To discuss the theoretical and practical issues arising out of production, presentation, accessibility  of theatres, finances and  accessibility of Schools of drama to women aspirants.

To explore the connectivity of play writing, screen play and film making.

To make the conference accessible to a wide range of participants with an interest in theatre created by women.

To create an accessible network for women playwrights, Story-tellers and folk artists for interaction, exchange and training.

To encourage, facilitate research in dance drama and other artistic expressions by women.

Call for Delegates -    International & National

The VIII Conference anticipates that there will be approximately 100 international delegates and 300 national delegates from India.  Delegates will include playwrights, directors, actors, musicians, theatre technicians, writer and critics working in experimental, community, and mainstream theatre and electronic media.

Around 50 scripts will be selected for reading workshops. Script selection will be arranged by a committee of eminent writers appointed by the host organisations.  If more than 10 scripts are received from a country, the WPI advisory committee members in that country will assist with the selection of plays.

Facilities available for presentations will include audio visual equipment, translation and interpreting services, and actors to read selected scripts.  All of these services will have to be pre-booked with the conference administration.

A call for submission for plays will be posted on the NEWS page of this website early in 2009. 

Prior to further information being posted on this site for information regarding play submission or delegate registration, please email:

wpintl@wpinternational.net

Total Duration -      7 Days - (1 Week) Sunday Evening - Saturday Night

On Sunday, November 1st, an Inaugural Ceremony will be held to launch the VIII International Women Playwrights Conference, and on the final day, November 7th, there will be Grand Finale and Closing Ceremony.

The business of the Conference will be conducted on the five working days between November 2nd and 6th.  These working days will be programmed according to the following template:

Session I  - Early Morning - Keynote Guest Speakers.

Session II – Late Morning -    A maximum of ten parallel sessions.  Each session will consist of a seminar, round table, or panel discussion focusing on particular issues, subject matter, or plays.    

Session III - Afternoon -    A maximum of ten parallel sessions will be held dedicated to play readings, performances, or skills workshops.

Session IV - Evening -   Performances - a total of 12 to 15 performances will be scheduled, as well as presentations of traditional folk theatre by Indian woman performers.

Themes for Workshop Sessions

1.    The Art of Theatrical Narration

2.    One woman shows-Traditional, Folk, and Modern

3.    Playwriting Techniques and Skills

4.    Emerging Languages in Theater

5.    Music and Socially Relevant Theater

How much will it cost?

Registration fees for the VIII International Women Playwrights Conference in Mumbai and payment details will be posted on this website in late January, 2009.  Potential international delegates should estimate that fees will be in the vicinity of 300-350 US dollars.  National delegates should estimate registration fees of Rs 500 a day.

Accommodation
Mumbai being tourist destination and commercial capital of India , the rates of hotels are quite competitive. Twin sharing accommodation rates for the rooms are as follows.

1.    Very luxurious rooms (7* Hotel)near the conference venue are around Rs.12000 to Rs. 15000 per room ($300+)
2.      5* Hotels        Rs. 10000 per room ($200+)
3.     3* Hotels         Rs.  5000 per room   ( $ 100 to $ 120 )

Details of Hotels will be posted on this website by mid-2009.

Besides private rented vehicles, Mumbai has an excellent public transport system, including autos, rickshaws, and local trains

The state of Maharashtra of which Mumbai is capital has a long and very rich history of Theater and other cultural forms.  India has many tourist destinations  such as beaches of Goa and Kerala, Historical places like  Rajasthan, Delhi ,Tajmahal, Temples at Karnataka, Tamilnadu , Orissa etc.

 In the vicinity of Mumbai and the state of Maharashtra has many caves and historical Hindu and Buddhist temples  and  forts.

 General expenses for each one week tour outside Maharashtra will be around Rs. 30000 ($750) + Air ticket  Rs. 15000 ( App. $300)