People

VIII International Women Playwrights Conference

 
Conference Administration and Artistic Management

Jyoti Mhapsekar, the Conference Convenor, is the founding President of Stree Mukti Sanghatana (Women’s Liberation Organization), which was founded in 1975, and has an active Theater Group. The organization has also been accredited by ECOSOC (U.N.).

The official conference sponsors is Jyoti’s own organization, Stree Mukti Sanghatana (the first feminist organization to be a primary WPI Conference sponsor), and the University of Mumbai (which will provide theatre, conference, and office space, as well as funding, etc.).

Jyoti has been involved in WPI since she brought her feminist theatre company to the 3rd Conference in Adelaide, Australia, in 1994.  She has participated in every conference since, as well as WPI planning sessions in Athens, Greece thrice.  She served as a member of the Executive Committee of WPI for two consecutive terms.  She will bring her own organizing skills and the support of a highly developed feminist support network to the planning of the conference. Mr. Waman Kendre,  Director, Academy of Theater Arts ,University of Mumbai has kindly agreed to assist Jyoti with the 2009 Conference. The University of Mumbai is one of the oldest universities in India with a sprawling campus, near both domestic and international airports, 1.5 to 3 kms away. 

Official Local Hosts & Organisers -     Academy of Theater Arts ,University of Mumbai and Stree Mukti Sanghatana,
Conference Convener      Ms. Jyoti Mhapsekar, President, Stree Mukti Sanghatana ( Women’s Liberation Organisation) 
Conference Director    Mr. Waman Kendre,  Director, Academy of Theater Arts ,University of Mumbai
Venue of the Conference -    University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari Campus, Kalina

The Mumbai Conference organisers will be assisted by the international advisory committee.  Members of the committee are as follows:

Beverly Andrews (UK)
Marilie Fernandez Ilagan (Philippines)
Karen Kinch (US)
Helen Shay (UK)
Karen Jeynes (South Africa)
Patrizia Monaco (Italy)
Lene Therese Teigen  (Norway)
Monica Raymond (US)
Suzy Messerole (US)
Naghmeh Samini (Iran)
Denise Walsh (New Zealand)
Margareta Skantze  (Sweden)
Ngoc M. Nguyen (Vietnam/US)
Sandra Shotlander (Australia)
Rosemary Johns (Australia)
Li Ying Ning (China)
Shim Jung Soon (Korea)

The WPI Steering Committee

At the Jakarta Conference there were no clear bids for the site of the 2009
Conference.  A Steering Committee of ex-conference convenors was mandated to
liaise with the membership to determine the venue for 8th Women Playwrights
Conference.

The Steering Committee members are:

Anna Kay France (Buffalo 1988)
Julie Holledge (Adelaide 1994)
Malou Jacob (Manila 2003)
Ratna Sarumpaet (Jakarta and