Call for Papers – BOUNDARIES OF PERFORMANCE

The Finnish Society for Theatre Research hosts its spring seminar on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at the University of Tampere (Café Toivo & Aula, Main Building second floor). The day culminates in the publication of a special issue of Näyttämö ja tutkimus, “Research at the interfaces of performing”, representing work by the Tampere research group Boundaries of Performing, convened by Prof. Esa Kirkkopelto.

Taking cue from the research group’s internal rationale, we now call for other researchers, as well, to approach, challenge, expand, and redefine the “boundaries” of performance and performing, that is, what the performing arts – in theatre, dance, live art, performance art – can do and what forms this may take, what kinds of interfaces they create.

The topics may, but need not, reflect the boundaries/interfaces involved in:

– more-than-human performance

– transformative technologies of performing

– stage animation

– language, body and dramaturgy

– experimental communities

– performance philosophy

So as to welcome the whole research community, the call is in two languages; a session in English will be organized if at least two accepted proposals are received.

The length of accepted papers is restricted to 20 minutes.

The seminar is on site only and no video or other recording will be produced.

Please send your abstract (200 words) and a short bio (50 words) no later than April 8. by email to teats[at]teats.fi. Further information: teemu.paavolainen[at]tuni.fi.