In Which We Discuss the Theatre Scholars
So, I'm in Chicago, staying at the lovely Hotel Allegro, and I'm hanging out with the theatre scholars, cause I'm a medievalist, really I am, no kidding, but more and more my ponderings about medieval drama have caused me to think about the spiritual dimensions of performance space, so I'm hanging out with the theatre scholars so as to acquaint myself with the field, hear what people are talking about, see how things here are put together, and attempt not to sound like an idiot when I write about my new hobby horse.
I've been here one day, and I have already discovered a lot.
First, the papers are organized differently. There are LOTS of sessions that EVERYBODY goes to, as opposed to my discipline, where very few sessions are presented alone, and mostly you divide up. This means that at this conference, a lot of information is shared widely; we'll divide up a few times, but there's proportionately much more shared experience.
Second, though, as in my discipline the papers are read, there is a lot more use of visual presentations, with slides and video clips. Also, a LOT more handwaving and uses of bodily gestures.
Third, though, as in my discipline everybody's glad to see each other, there is a LOT more hugging and kissing.
Fourth, though you would indeed recognize this group as a body of scholars, the group as a whole is a lot more interestingly presented than my beloved medievalists, as a whole. A large group of medievalists looks like a bunch of scholars that has found interesting ties and jewelry, and has based its authority on a foundation of eccentricity. Not bad. But a large group of theatre scholars looks like a bunch of people who REALLY know where to shop. And it's not the mall. We're not talking just eccentricity. We're talking a deep understanding of the effect of cut and drape. I have never seen a group of scholars wearing so many textures of cloth. Also. Pink and/or green hair. Excellent.
So, I'm having a good time. I've heard brilliant papers on a host of subjects. I've taken reams of notes concerning things I need to think about for my next scholarly project. I'm happy with my wardrobe, but glad to learn ways to improve it. Green hair would work well on me, I think, and give me great authority in my contemporary drama classes. This cheers me.
And the hotel is lovely -- right in the heart of Chicago, very lovely, great food. It's the only place I've every rented a place to stay, in my life, in any country I've been in, that has seen fit to put me in a room that not only has no closet, but doesn't even have a hook upon which to hang my coat. I'm sure this means something, but I don't know what. Maybe there's actually another room attached to this one that I've also rented, and I just can't find the door.
That's my report from Chicago. Later, I'll come back and explain to you why, if you get the notion to stage Romeo and Juliet in a funeral parlor, you should lie down for a while till you get over it.
I've been here one day, and I have already discovered a lot.
First, the papers are organized differently. There are LOTS of sessions that EVERYBODY goes to, as opposed to my discipline, where very few sessions are presented alone, and mostly you divide up. This means that at this conference, a lot of information is shared widely; we'll divide up a few times, but there's proportionately much more shared experience.
Second, though, as in my discipline the papers are read, there is a lot more use of visual presentations, with slides and video clips. Also, a LOT more handwaving and uses of bodily gestures.
Third, though, as in my discipline everybody's glad to see each other, there is a LOT more hugging and kissing.
Fourth, though you would indeed recognize this group as a body of scholars, the group as a whole is a lot more interestingly presented than my beloved medievalists, as a whole. A large group of medievalists looks like a bunch of scholars that has found interesting ties and jewelry, and has based its authority on a foundation of eccentricity. Not bad. But a large group of theatre scholars looks like a bunch of people who REALLY know where to shop. And it's not the mall. We're not talking just eccentricity. We're talking a deep understanding of the effect of cut and drape. I have never seen a group of scholars wearing so many textures of cloth. Also. Pink and/or green hair. Excellent.
So, I'm having a good time. I've heard brilliant papers on a host of subjects. I've taken reams of notes concerning things I need to think about for my next scholarly project. I'm happy with my wardrobe, but glad to learn ways to improve it. Green hair would work well on me, I think, and give me great authority in my contemporary drama classes. This cheers me.
And the hotel is lovely -- right in the heart of Chicago, very lovely, great food. It's the only place I've every rented a place to stay, in my life, in any country I've been in, that has seen fit to put me in a room that not only has no closet, but doesn't even have a hook upon which to hang my coat. I'm sure this means something, but I don't know what. Maybe there's actually another room attached to this one that I've also rented, and I just can't find the door.
That's my report from Chicago. Later, I'll come back and explain to you why, if you get the notion to stage Romeo and Juliet in a funeral parlor, you should lie down for a while till you get over it.
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