Beyond Four Walls: Theatre and Community Symposium 2025

The “Beyond Four Walls: Theatre and Community Symposium 2025” is a forum for interrogating and advancing the role of theatre in fostering community engagement and social change. Held in New York City's New Victory Theatre on 18-19 June 2024, and set against the backdrop of evolving societal challenges, the symposium seeks to recalibrate the focus on how theatre companies innovatively interact with communities, driving forward both research and actionable insights.

Scheduled to precede the IDIEIRI 11 Conference at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, this event acts as a scholarly junction for academics en route, as well as a crucible for transformative discussions on the effectiveness and impact of applied theatre-driven community initiatives. The symposium will delve into the rich traditions of research based theatre spotlighting emerging best practices and redefining measures of success in community-engaged theatre.

Featuring a mix of practical workshops, incredible performances, critical discussions, and academic presentations, the symposium will engage teaching artists, theatre educators, policy makers, and practitioners. Sessions will explore innovative practices, unpack varied understandings of success, and scrutinise the theoretical and empirical frameworks that underpin this sector of theatrical practice.

This international gathering aims to forge robust networks among professionals, practitioners and academics from diverse geographies, encouraging the exchange of ideas and collaborative ventures. It is an essential gathering for those committed to leveraging the arts for significant societal impact and those interested in the intersection of theatre practice and community development.

Location:
The New Victory Theater and Roundabout Theatre Company
209 & 227 W 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036