Comedy and the Spirit
Volume 2.2, Fall 2005
An old cliche says that laughter is good for the soul. The Baylor Journal of Theatre and Performance (a peer-reviewed publication) seeks submissions for its upcoming issue dedicated to the topic of performance and spiritual considerations of comedy. Religious rituals have often contained comic elements that serve diverse social and emotional purposes; conversely, staged performances often use comedy to explore spiritual themes. How do these activities help negotiate the place of religion in culture? How do matters of spiritual faith, philosophy, and practice permeate the dramatic stage? We are especially interested in articles that address comic performance related to a variety of faith/spiritual traditions from around the world. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
Unruly performances that create space for ordinarily taboo behavior—carnivale, feast days, Mardi Gras
Plays that challenge religious authority, or satirize perceived religious/church hypocrisy or abuse of power
Ritual performances and/or plays that use humor to evangelize, encourage adherence to devotional practices, or serve other instructive purposes
The use of humor to work out problems of faith, within a dramatic framework
The role of comedy in the theatre of Ancient Greece, Medieval Europe, Siglo de Oro Spain, or any other historical moment/culture where the religious establishment played a significant role in dramatic production
The bailes religiosas of Latin America, or other paratheatrical performances that express religious piety or fervor and contain some element of the comic or grotesque
The journal seeks scholarly articles, book and performance reviews, and interviews related to the featured topic. These can be submitted in electronic format only to the editor Carolyn Roark at the e-mail address provided below. Inquiries regarding submission and subscription may be directed to the editor, and additional information, including submission guidelines and a style sheet, may be found at the following web address.
Deadline for Submission is April 30, 2005.
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