|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
| The ASIAN Participation to the 6TH Women Playwrights International Conference | ||||
| Abstract A. Background / Rationale The Women Playwrights International (WPI) has been holding its conference every three years in different parts of the world since 1988. WPI has had five successful conferences starting with Buffalo (New York State) USA in 1988; Toronto, Canada in 1991; Adelaide, Australia in 1994; Galway, Ireland in 1997 and Athens, Greece in 2000. About 100 to 400 participants from all over the world attend the conference. In these last five conferences there have been minimal Asian, Latin American and African presence. Through the efforts of Japan Foundation and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, WPI Philippines successfully hosted the Second Conference on Asian Women and Theater last November 2000. Women Playwrights' International Philippines Inc. and the Cultural Center of the Philippines are hosting the 6th Women Playwrights' International Conference in Manila in November 2003. B. Objectives The following goals of the 6th Women Playwrights' International Conference: Seek answers and find solutions to the artistic, professional, social and political concerns, issues, and queries that confront women playwrights and theater artists from around the word; Create and provide multiple forums where women theater artists from the Philippines and from other countries can share experiences, work methodologies, texts, perspectives and ideologies, promote the creation of strong, sustainable national and international information and touring networks for women theater artists; Disseminate in the Philippines, the work of Filipino and international women theater artists and promote Filipino women theater artists' work outside the Philippines. In line with these Conference goals, WPI Philippines wishes to accomplish the following: Provide direct Asian participation in the Conference. Determine the topic or issue of concern for the Asian participants. C. Description Women Playwrights International Philippines is dedicated to planning and convening the 6th Women Playwrights International Conference, gatherings which in the past, have brought together women playwrights and allied theatre artists, cultural workers and scholars. The focus is to facilitate communications, meetings and interchanges among the international community of women in theater. About 100 to 200 participants from all over the world are expected to attend the 6th International Conference. WPI Philippines sees the Conference as the perfect opportunity to open the event to Asian participation given this geographical opportunity. Furthermore, it is a natural follow up activity from the Second Conference on Asian Women and Theater involving the same individuals and building the network to more contacts, communication and opportunities. D. Program of Activities With the theme "Women Making Theater in a Changing World" the Conference will have the following sub-themes for the drama sessions: 1. spirituality and tradition 2. loss and legacy 3. shifting borders and boundaries 4. writing in a period of war and political turmoil 5. gender and sexuality 6. racism and justice a There will be no more than three (3) simultaneous venues for the drama sessions. Nine (9) plays (excerpts) will be presented and discussed daily. A total of 36 plays will be presented in four (4) days. A senior WPI members will give an overview and facilitate the open forum with the playwright. The Conference schedule is still under consideration and discussion. Conversation sessions are preferred to panel discussions. Workshops and caucus sessions will also be part of the Conference proper. There will be a workshop on comedy by Australian theatre artists. There are a number of interesting and relevant topics to be tackled, the India-Pakistan conflict, the labor sector in China, censorship in Burma, effects of the World War II, displacement of families due to ethnic conflicts and other issues that affect the plight of the Asian playwrights of different nationalities to interact and derive impetus and inspiration from each other. For Asian participation, the following program of activities are being proposed: 1. Identify the network of possible Asian contacts at the same time establish with the Conference the design the topic on which the Asian delegates will participate. 2. Invite these speakers and delegates and provide them with the possible slot within the Conference. 3. Make a travel and accommodation arrangements for designated invitees. 4. Conference proper 5. Post-conference activities E. Identification of Possible Asian Participation or Collaboration In line with the objectives of this proposal, the Conference will tackle issues through the plenary sessions, drama sessions, and workshops directly affecting the Asian woman playwright in particular and the Asian woman in general. Because the Conference will be held in Asia for the first time, there must be a conscious effort to directly involve the Asian woman playwright. In effect, Asian participation must be one of the Conference objectives so that the concerns of the Asian women will be discussed. Key Asian women playwrights will be invited to speak on certain issues affecting the general concerns of women playwrights in particular and topics that focus on the Asian woman in general. How these issues vary in each region affect their writing. The Asian woman playwright's contribution to dramatic sessions or workshop sessions should also be a learning experience for fellow Asians, Latin American, African and Western playwrights. The drama and workshops sessions should also open their plays to critique and suggestion. The interaction alone would be a rich experience on both sides. F. Expected Output 1. To continue the establishment of a world network of women playwrights and theater artists. 2. To initiate the setting up of WPI country chapters in Asia. 3. To compile and distribute the proceedings of the Conference and drama sessions. |
The 6th Women Playwrights Conference (WPIC) in Asia for the First Time | |||
