MLitt MFA Folks

Hiya Folks,

Forwarding this on from a current M.Litt student. I know there are some of you out there who would be very likely candidates for this.

~Meg

So this email is going to be full of information - and stories, because really, as any of my friends will tell you, it's the only way I know to communicate information.

"And we're off:

Story one: I tried to send this from my yahoo account because that is the email address I would like to use, as I am leaving in a month to move to NYC will not have access to the MBC one in a month or so. However, it wouldn't let me. So, here we go again - more on that later :)

ok, story one sucks

Story two:

I recently went to the CEA conference and delivered an edited version of my VTP final paper, the one in which you compare an early play with a late play in terms of rhetoric and verse. Anyway, the paper actually went over very well. And I know that Ryan McCarthy (hi Ryan) also went to a conference on his paper.

Ok, pause on that part of the story: When Sarah and Farrah came over from London, one thing that they asked me on the way to the airport is what were we doing to do get our information out there. Because, and they're right, we're the only school/group of people that are doing this work.

Ok, play on the other story:

So we were talking in the car on the way home from Pittsburgh. And we were talking about how great it would be if we could get a group of people together who had great VTP papers with interesting pairings of monologues and why we choose them - tweak them so that they fit together better, and try to get a book published. And I have heard from other profs that i know that it wouldn't be a bad idea.

So, I know that this won't be easy to find a publisher, but I have some contacts that are willing to introduce me to people. And I think it's worth a chance. I have already asked Dawn to write a glossary for the book of rhetoric
terms that we use, so that people have them all in one place, and she has graciously agreed.

So, here's what I need from you guys. I need people who are interested in trying this crazy thing. I need papers, edited for publication. Things you can do:

1) Send me an email, to the addy - reesagraham @ yahoo . com in the next 2 weeks so I know I have enough interest to continue.
2) Send this email to others who have graduated this program that I don't know who might have rockin VTP papers.
3) Tell me about others you know who had rockin' VTP papers that I should pester.

Things you should know:

1) Your "final" paper is not actually due to me for another 2 months.
2) This is not a guaranteed thing, but I will work my hardest to get it done.
3) I hope to hear from you all :)

Thanks guys!!!

love,
reesa"

So, we've all heard about pig's blood in bladders, used as a special effect on the early modern stage. And we've probably all heard the naysayers-- those who suggest that costumes were far too valuable to risk staining in such a fashion.

However, I can't recall reading about these arguments, just hearing about them from professors (both at MBC and a professor where I am now, in AZ. Said AZ professor can't recall reading about these arguments either.)

So my question to you, oh illustrious former and present MLitters, do you know where any of these arguments or commentaries are played out? Who suggests that blood was used on stage and who suggests that Nay, it could not be?

(I'm writing a paper on The Fatal Dowry which is likely to become either an article and/or a chapter of my dissertation. I'd never dream of asking others to do my work for me, but this question regarding stage blood came to me late in the game (at least for this first draft, for a class) so I thought I would appeal to all of you.)

Any help would be appreciated!

(Also, you might be interested to know that a paper of mine, much of which involves the ASC productions of Fall '07, is going to be published next year in Shakespeare Bulletin. I'm waiting to tell Ralph & Co. 'til I have official offficial confirmation. But it should be seen that though I have left you, oh MLitters, I have not abandoned Original Practices!)

Anyone know a good Shakespeare adaptation that is close to an hour long? I'm looking for a play to propose for my thesis and the play my committee chose to go forward (I proposed three plays) was scraped by the playwright...I wanted to cut an hour from Shakespeare's R&J and Joe Calarco was not so much on board because it's like an hour shorter...which sucks....anyway, I figured I'd open it up to the masses...any help would be awesome.

I posted before about the Southwest Graduate English Student Symposium here at ASU, and you've probably gotten a message in your inbox as well. Still, since the deadline hasn't hit yet (we've extended it to October 31st) I thought I'd mention it again, and point out some specfics.


First off, there is a specifically theatre-oriented panel:


Theatre and the (Re)Invention of Communications and Communities: Transmission, Translation, Transgression: Each production of a play communicates meaning beyond the playwright’s original intent.  In the transmission of text from page to stage, what gets lost in translation and what new meanings are invented?  Does the work’s inherent meaning get changed and transgressed in staging, or isit merely communicated differently?  Does the audience or community receiving the play take part in the (re)invention of meaning?  Examples could include explorations of race, gender, staging techniques, translations, adaptations, etc.


(Of course, we're accepting papers that are on a myriad of foci, not just the ones specifically listed here. But those could give you some ideas.)


Secondly, we're also accepting submissions for the Doebler Award. This is a prize (cash monies!) that goes to specifically Renaissance oriented papers. Yes, that's right! Moolah (and a great line on your CV!!) for writing a paper about what you're studying anyway! If you'd like more information on this, leave a comment here or drop me an email. You'd get to read your paper at the conference, and if yours wins, you get an awards ceremony and everything! Whee!


Don't forget, too, you're going to be in dreary, chilly Virginia in late February early March. Wouldn't you love a weekend out here in the desert? Bring the penguin love out here to ASU!

(Oh! And I forgot to mention, the inimitable William Proctor Williams will be our keynote speaker!! Hurrah!)

 I don't want to move to CT for a part-time gig, but one of you might...

EDUCATION DIRECTOR - Norwalk,  CT Job posted on September 19, 2007 Part-time. Shakespeare on the Sound, an Equity theatre company in Norwalk, CT seeks an Education Director to develop, coordinate and administer a theatre-based Shakespeare education program for children and adults in schools, after-school programs, libraries and in the parks where we perform admission-free Shakespeare. The successful candidate will be organized, vigorous and imaginative, have a background in theatre and/or the performing arts, and a commitment to strengthening communities through education and art. Reports to the Artistic Director and the Managing Director. Part-time, flexible hours. Contact Managing Director, SHAKESPEARE ON THE SOUND, P.O. Box 15, Norwalk, CT 06853. Email: contactus@shakespeareonthesound.org Attn: Managing Director.

Employer Profile
ORGANIZATION	SHAKESPEARE ON THE SOUND
CONTACT	Mary  Osborne
ADDRESS	P.O Box 15 Norwalk , CT   06853
PHONE	203.299.1300
FAX	203.299.5424
E-MAIL	contactus@shakespeareonthesound.org
URL	http://www.shakespeareonthesound.o…
* Employers are solely responsible for the contents of their profiles.

Interdisciplinaryandcreative panels and papers are encouraged in fields thatincludeliterature, rhetoric and composition, creative writing,theaterstudies, communication, language studies, English education,womenand gender studies, film, visual studies, history,psychology,philosophy, religion, social sciences, media studies, andpopularculture.

Panelproposals shouldbe no more than 500 words and submitted by September30, 2007. Paperabstracts should be no more than 350 words and submittedby October15, 2007. Please include home and office numbers, completemailingaddress, e-mail address, professional affiliation, andAVrequirements with your submission.

Please directsubmissions and questions to asu2008symp@gmail.com

I'm also probably organizing a more specifically renaissance panel, should you wish to wait for a more specific call for papers. But clearly, our call opens more doors than it closes, and we invite anything and everything pertaining to this topic. Plus, it'll be nice and warm here in AZ in Feb/March, and it won't be in VA!

Hey guy - I just got the sad news that Lesley is not going to be able to present at the Forum this weekend, which leaves us with not 1 but 2 open spots for papers.

This will be a really laid back conference - no pressure,
small, supportive audience - it is the perfect opportunity to add a line to your resume and get some presenting experience.

If anyone would like to throw their hat in the ring, please let me know ASAP - 
email me Megan at mdshakes dot org
______________________

Maryland Shakespeare Festival Hosts:
MAKING SHAKESPEARE MATTER: A Forum on the Intersection of Scholarship, Stagecraft, and Community

This Saturday, May 12
9am-5pm (stay for all or part of the day)

Frederick Community College
Conference Center
301-668-4090 for more info and to register

COME SEE PAPERS FROM JAMES, EVE, LESLEY, ANNA, and JEREMY!!!

Please join us for a FREE day of learning .... 
Maryland Shakespeare Festival and Frederick Community College’s Public Forum Present:

MAKING SHAKESPEARE MATTER: the Intersection of Scholarship, Stagecraft, and Community

This Saturday, May 12
9am-5pm (stay for all or part of the day)

Frederick Community College
Conference Center
301-668-4090 for more info and to register

What’s with this Shakespeare Stuff, anyway?
Does Shakespeare matter in our Community?
Should it? How?
As a source of entertainment, enlightenment, or education?
Is Shakespeare good for you like eating your vegetables;
fun and terrifying like a ride on a roller coaster;
or edifying like psychology, history, and
English class all rolled into one?

Scholars, theater practitioners, experts, and enthusiasts will all
enjoy a day of debate, discussion, and deliberation as well as take part in a community discussion 
on Making Shakespeare Matter in the Life of our Community!

This is a FREE event
(optional $15 paid at door for snacks and lunch)

Sponsored by: Maryland Humanities Council, Frederick Community College, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

for complete details and a registration form: Forum Flyer

Please pass this information/email on to ALL of your friends!

Hey guys -

I still haven't received a single paper submission from any M.Litt-ers for the Maryland Shakespeare Festival's forum on "Making Shakespeare Matter: the Intersection of Scholarship, Stagecraft, and Community."

I know you still have a week - but don't let this slip away. This is a really low-key conference designed specifically to give both M.Litt-ers and MSF something to add to their resumes. And so I can hear some of the cool scholarship I have been missing out on since I graduated.

So send me some stuff and start cutting down those papers!

Send to: 

Megan at Mdshakes dot org

By April 13th!