The print version of Theatre Journal is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal featuring contemporary and historical studies and theoretical inquiries that analyze theatre and performance. The online version aims to continue exploring this broad brief well beyond the constraints of the print. We are interested in discussing your contributions and suggestions for what this site can become. Contact us here.
FAQs
1. How often can I publish an essay in Theatre Journal?
An author may be published in the journal no more frequently than once every two years.
2. Can I have an essay published in Theatre Topics in the same year as Theatre Journal?
While the two journals are independent, it is best to space submissions to them so that essays by the same person are not appearing in the two journals at the same time.
3. If my essay is rejected by Theatre Journal when can I try to submit another essay to Theatre Journal?
An author must wait a year before submitting a subsequent essay to Theatre Journal.
4. My essay is about a single production. Will this affect its chances of being accepted?
Yes: Theatre Journal tends not to publish essays on a single play or production. Exceptions are occasionally made when essays explore a very broad and well-contextualized understanding of a moment or an aspect of performance or when the assessment of a single production is a springboard to a larger argument.
5. My essay is about a single play. It is a deep and thorough reading of that play. Would Theatre Journal be interested in that?
As with the answer to the question above, Theatre Journal tends not to publish essays on a single play unless they use that exploration to reinterpret the play or the author’s oeuvre, etc. Such an essay would need to demonstrate a very thorough knowledge of the ways in which the play has been read to that point.
6. My essay doesn’t deal very much with theatricality or performance. Will this be a problem?
Theatre Journal is interested in performance aspects first and foremost so it is very important that essays engage with theatricality.
7. My essay is very historically focused. Is it true that Theatre Journal privileges contemporary work?
Theatre Journal publishes the best essays relating to theatre and performance, regardless of era. Historical essays that are not accepted may deal with a specific moment in time without any indication of how that moment matters to a broad theatre readership.
8. Do I need to send in an abstract to get the editors’ approval before submitting an essay?
No, please do not submit an abstract: we prefer to read the full essay and make an assessment on that basis. If your essay is accepted, we will ask for an abstract then.
9. How many images can I expect to include in an accepted essay?
We can publish roughly five images per essay, but images are not essential. We urge authors to include only high quality images that contribute to the essay’s argument.
In some instances, depending on the topic, more images may be necessary and we deal with such matters on a case by case basis. The online platform can support images that are not able to be included in the print version. This platform can also support other forms of illustration/supporting material. Any images there are in color, while images in the print version are black and white.
As ever, it is the author’s responsibility to secure the high-quality images, the permissions, and to pay any cost for them.
10. How many images can I expect to include in an accepted performance review?
There is a maximum of two images per performance review, unless the review covers a festival.
As with essays, it may be possible for additional images to be uploaded to the online platform.
11. How often can I write a performance/book review?
An author can contribute one performance review and one book review per calendar year.
12. How often do the roles of co-editor, editor, and book/performance review editors turn over?
The Co-Editor has a two year term, followed by two years as Editor (four years total). The Online, Book and Performance Reviews Editors have three year terms. Calls for applications for these positions appear through ATHE approximately 6 months before the previous terms expire.
13. What is the function of the online platform?
The online platform publishes non-peer-reviewed material that supplements and extends the print journal, such as short articles, interviews and interventions. It provides a space for multi-media material that can’t be contained between the print covers (charts, extra illustrations, video clips, podcasts, etc). It is also a location for the Editors to communicate with readers about news from the team and from the field.
14. Can I propose to edit or co-edit a special issue of Theatre Journal?
While Theatre Journal has two special issues per year, the Co-Editor and Editor edit these. The journal doesn’t normally bring on guest editors. If you have a topic that you feel the journal should consider, please speak to one of the editors.
15. How can I have my say?
Please speak to one of the editors either at a conference or via email:
Sean Metzger: smetzger@tft.ucla.edu
Laura Edmondson: Laura.Edmondson@dartmouth.edu