Call for Papers Scritture migranti 20
Migrant theatre: definitions, aesthetics, experiences and representations
The journal Scritture Migranti calls researchers to submit contributions for the 20th issue of the journal, edited by Florinda Nardi and Paola Ranzini, dedicated to the theme: Migrant theatre: definitions, aesthetics, experiences and representations.
The contributions will examine migrant theatre in its various meanings: the theatre by migrants (theatre created by immigrant or second-generation artists, theatre created by companies that welcome foreign artists in order to promote cultural exchange, theatre as a place for amateur creations and activities linked to social associations with the aim of integration), but also the theatre about migrants, creations, not necessarily the work of migrant artists, in which the theme of migration is brought to the front, in its various aspects and according to two opposite perspectives (i.e. from the point of view of migrants or from the opposite point of view of those who welcome migrants).
The definition of “migrant” in the literary or, more generally, artistic field has in fact expanded significantly in recent decades to include creations that are not necessarily the work of migrant artists or representative of their point of view. This definition can therefore encompass both representations of subjects related to migration based on the collective imagination and narratives of first-hand experiences, works with empathetic or denunciatory aims.
The ethical necessity of migrant theatre lies in being an alternative form of representation and narration to the discourses and images that the media impose on migration and migrant cultures. Moreover, it is precisely because of the way this issue is treated in the media that the term “migrant” itself has undergone a semantic evolution, moving from a broad and neutral meaning, indicating a concept of mobility and displacement, to a much narrower meaning linked to the socio-political crises of recent decades and thus indicating a one-way movement from southern geographical areas to wealthier countries in the Western world.
From an aesthetic point of view, these productions take a variety of forms and models, deliberately linked to the culture with which they have a more or less deep connection, or as an expression of new experimental forms. In any case, migrant theatre is most often the bearer of formal innovations that the various traditions of Western theatre welcome and make their own.
When referring to theatre, the adjective “migrant” does not therefore indicate a unified approach or a defined corpus of productions. “Theatre in which the word is given to those who identify themselves as migrants” could undoubtedly be the main quality (or intention) common to all productions. However, this does not specify how this word is used by the individuals in question to refer to themselves, or whether others use the word on their behalf.
Topics:
- Terminological issues for defining the multiple and complex phenomenologies of migrant theatre
- Aesthetic issues: how to represent migration? Intercultural dialogue with the protagonists, testimonial theatre, fictional theatre, documentary theatre, intermedial theatre: how to represent migration?
- Interculturality in practice: shared experiences, mixed companies, collaborative writing, working methods and methodologies
- Analysis of the works of migrant artists
- Analysis of works that focus on the migrant experience
- Linguistic issues inherent in their identity, languages used
- Theatrical journey or product: social actor and workshop
- Training activities in schools and social contexts
Types of contributions:
In addition to traditional critical essays, interviews with artists and first-hand accounts by artists will also be accepted.
We welcome contributions that adopt a transdisciplinary perspective, coming from fields of study other than theatre and literature, such as sociology, musicology, linguistics, cultural studies, media studies, postcolonial studies and other relevant areas. Comparative and international approaches are particularly encouraged.
Submission guidelines:
Proposals (max. 1,500 characters), accompanied by a brief biographical note (max. 500 characters), should be sent by 30 March 2026 to the email addresses :
redazione.scritturemigranti@unibo.it
Acceptance will be communicated by 15 April 2026.
Accepted articles (in Italian, French or English) must be submitted by 31 August 2026.
