Our research interests

Explore the diverse and impactful research areas that drive the IFTR African and Caribbean Theatre and Performance Working Group. Our scholarly pursuits illuminate the rich histories, present innovations, and future possibilities within African and Caribbean performance traditions.

Core thematic areas

Our research delves into critical themes that span the breadth of African and Caribbean performance. We investigate theatre as survival and resistance, applied theatre and NGO interventions, and the complexities of coloniality and decoloniality in practice. Our work also examines reparations and social justice movements, alongside indigeneity in African and Caribbean cultural performances. Further areas include the Caribbean Reparations Commission, and performance within the UN International Decade for People of African Descent (both the first decade 2014-2024, and the second decade 2025-2035).

Intersectional perspectives

We embrace intersectional approaches to explore diverse performance imaginaries and identities. This includes Afrofuturist and Africanfuturist performance, LGBTQIA+ cultures and activism in performance, and African and Caribbean feminisms. We also analyze the significance of Carnival, Vodou, Santeria, and queer invention. Our work further examines ritual and religion in African and Caribbean theatre, focusing on masquerade as a sacred mediator and theatre as spiritual healing and identity work, exploring the intersections of faith, embodiment, and activism.

Living archives and embodied memory

Our research recognizes the power of oral traditions as living archives and masks and masquerades as cultural repositories. We investigate disability cultures and embodied memory, understanding how text and performance serve as vital sites of history. Through these lenses, we uncover the enduring significance of African and Caribbean performance in shaping identity, preserving heritage, and influencing the future of theatre studies worldwide.

Join the conversation

The African and Caribbean Theatre and Performance Working Group envisions a globally recognized community where performance traditions, innovations, and futures are at the forefront of scholarly and artistic conversations. We invite conference abstracts, papers, and panel proposals that examine the function, aesthetics, and impact of theatres and performances from African and Caribbean perspectives, addressing their role in shaping history, identity, and the future.