Dear Colleagues,

As we approach the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, it is time once again to begin planning for the annual Mid-America Theatre Conference (MATC).  The Conference continues to grow and thrive thanks to the commitment and dedication of all our officers, symposium chairs, presenters, fellows, and loyal attendees.  Last year, in spite of blizzard like conditions inMinneapolis, over one hundred and seventy (170) scholars and artisans attended the Conference.  We are looking forward to similar numbers this year as we head south to one of our favorite cities.  

This year the Conference will return to the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri.  This terrific hotel and conference center was a wonderful host to the Conference in 2004 when we celebrated our 25th Anniversary.  Due to the tireless work of all the officers and symposium chairs (most notably Conference Planner Ann Haugo), the Conference is shaping up to be the strongest and most diverse Conference to date.  For information on our symposiums in Theatre History, Directing/Acting, Playwriting, Pedagogy, and our Emerging Scholars Competition, please visit the “Call for Papers” section on this website.

The Conference is also pleased to continue our long standing tradition of excellent keynote speakers with the addition of nationally recognized scholar, author, and journalist, Alisa Solomon.  Ms. Solomon was on staff for 21 years with The Village Voice where she won multiple awards for her reporting on several issues including politics, reproductive rights, and immigration.  In addition to being a regular contributor to The Nation, The Forward and The New York Times, Ms. Solomon is also a well respected theatre scholar and editor with several anthologies to her credit.

If you have yet to attend MATC, let me encourage you to join this vibrant and growing organization.  The Conference has virtually doubled over the past six years thanks to quality presenters, an open and exhilarating artistic atmosphere, and top-notch facilities for each and every symposium and attendee.  MATC welcomes not only established scholars in their given field, but also presents opportunities for younger faculty and aspiring students to have a supportive and challenging Conference experience.  I am proud and honored to serve all of those associated with MATC and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you in Kansas City!

Sincerely,

Bill Jenkins
President, Mid-America Theatre Conference (MATC)
Department Chair & Associate Professor of Theatre
Ball State University
wjenkins@bsu.edu