Conference in MUMBAI
VIII International Women Playwrights Conference, 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 Theatre in the Socio-Political World.
5.Humour in Theatre.
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 have been selected for reading workshops. Scripts have been selected by a committee of eminent writers appointed by the host organisations.
For queries regarding play submission or delegate registration, please email:
Conference Program
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
For information about the artistic and business administration of the Conference see PEOPLE on this site.
