The Annual Oxford Dance Symposium

Lead image

Image: Deschars en habit de Polichinel / au Divertissement de Villeneuue Saint-Georges © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

29th Annual Oxford Dance Symposium

The 29th Annual Oxford Dance Symposium will take place on 20th and 21st April 2027.

Call for Papers: 'Characters on Stage: real, symbolic, imaginary'

Organised by Michael Burden and Jennifer Thorp.

The Oxford Dance Symposia focus on the technique, practice, and philosophy of dance during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries (i.e.1600-1900); we always welcome papers on any aspect of dance during this period. We regret however that this symposium cannot accept papers on subjects later than 1900.

Each year, however, we have a light touch theme to which participants are invited to respond if they wish. The theme for 2027 will be ‘Characters on Stage: real, symbolic, imaginary’; this should be interpreted as broadly as possible, but within the date range of the symposium.

Topics might include a study of characters in a single theatrical work; compare different interpretations of the same character; examining the staging - or stagings – of particular scenes; or considering a work’s reception. We particularly welcome papers on mythological and animal characters!

Those wishing to submit abstracts (200 words) and a biography (150 words) should do so to jacqui.julier@new.ox.ac.uk by Friday 27 November 2026.