Ecumenica Journal seeks submissions for a special issue on the Roman Catholic Church.  We are interested in all scholarship related to the many and multi-layered interactions between “Catholic” life and faith, and theatre/performance studies. Ecumenica generally welcomes submissions on a variety of topics and approaches to criticism, including theatrical performance and theatre history, dramatic literary criticism, social, political and cultural studies of theatre and performance, ethnographic explorations of performance traditions, and editorial commentaries on topics related to the performing arts.   Possible topics may include, but are not limited to:
Plays by authors who treat the Roman Catholic experience, such as John Patrick Shanley, Martin McDonagh, Stephen Adly Guirgis, and Christopher Durang; The historical relationship between the Church and the theatre; Early church performativity and/or objections to theatre; Roman Catholic use of theatre and performance for pedagogical and evangelical purposes, by Jesuits and other orders; The performance of Liturgy, Ritual, Catechism, and the Sacraments; Roman Catholic spaces/geographies and theatre/theatricality; The papacy and the priesthood, saints, lay activity and identity; Lost voices, and performances of heresy or unorthodoxy; Performing Catholic identity in nations dominated by other faith traditions
Recent scandals, Vatican II, new Catholicisms, splinter movements, etc.  

In addition to traditional scholarly articles, we publish interviews with individuals (actors, directors, teachers, playwrights, and others) who work at the intersections of theatre and religion/spirituality; profiles on individuals, organizations, and performances that fit within our field of inquiry; and, occasionally, excerpts from unpublished plays. Ecumenica also seeks book and performance reviews broadly related to the issue topic.  Deadline for submission is September 15, 2010. Inquiries and all material except reviews should be submitted in electronic format only to Carolyn Roark (cdr-at-ecumenicajournal.org). Book review inquiries and submissions may be sent to W. Barrett Huddleston (wbdh-at-ecumenicajournal.org), and performance review inquiries and submissions to Bradley W. Griffin (bwg-at-ecumenicajournal.org). Visit www.ecumenicajournal.org for additional information, including submission guidelines, a style sheet, and the required cover page.