Chicago, IL

Date posted: July 25, 2018

Part-time/Sept. 2018–June 2019 | Volunteer

OVERVIEW
Chicago, IL is a city of contradictions: one of the most segregated places in the U.S., yet a proud
sanctuary city; a site of wealth and privilege juxtaposed with poverty and disinvestment; and a
symbol of the greatest community cohesion and some of the worst systemic injustices of the
nation.

With these thoughts in mind about our chosen site for the 2019 conference, we want to explore
how we, as dramaturgs, instigate positive action in a time of division. How might we facilitate
necessary conversations, promote inclusion on our stages, shape programming to speak to the
issues of the day, cultivate new audiences and foster new artists, and spur political engagement
and even direct political acts?

To further this dramaturgical dive, we seek to understand how borders as physical and social
constructs impact the way theatres solicit, produce, and commodify art and artists; and how and
when dramaturgs choose to reinforce or disrupt borders. To this end, Crossing Borders Pt.2 will
welcome panels, roundtables, and other dynamic conversations about what constitutes “action”
for positive social change in a time of crisis, and which define how we build pathways to
collaboration across imagined and real borders – including, but not limited to, the ones found in
our host communities in Chicago.

ABOUT THE LOCAL CHAIR POSITION
Each year, LMDA convenes an international conference to discuss and investigate current issues
facing the practice. In the months leading up to the event, LMDA contracts a Local Chair to: (1)
collaborate with our Executive VP for Conferences and conference committee; lead on
integration of local and international/organizational themes and content; and (3) directly supervise
the Local Coordinator (logistics captain). The Local Chair:
● Acts as a managing liaison between national leadership and the Local Coordinator
● Seeks local and regional grant opportunities and provides conference-specific content for
applications
● Seeks and secures local partners (academic, theatre, and community, especially for
in-kind support)
● Recruits local community team members
● Secures sites and negotiates contracts
● Leads local conference team to jointly:
○ Create basic conference description for marketing
○ Envision conference structure
○ Propose and solicit conference content

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should send a resume and cover letter outlining how they meet the specific
requirements of the position to conference@lmda.org by August 8, 2018. Successful candidates
will be contacted by email to arrange a virtual follow-up interview.

LMDA Chair Call.pdf