AfTA conference call extended
Academics
11 February 2026
Applications for the forthcoming African Theatre Association (AfTA) 2026 conference have been extended briefly following a strong response from across the globe.
Applications were received from 12 countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe. These include representation from six South African universities, including TUT.
Be that as it may, there are some who have expressed frustration at not meeting the deadline. Therefore, the convenors have opened a short window for additional applications, with the second call opening from today, 11 February 2026, and closing on 15 March 2026.
Interested participants are encouraged to submit their applications to present a paper, panel, performance, or poster (digital or printed) HERE
[or use this link https://forms.gle/gydTxFNAXZL3Sd1m7]
The theme for the 2026 conference is Interartistic Afrikan performing arts in the 21st century: De/Post-colonial performance, places, pedagogies, and will be hosted by the Department of Performing Arts, Faculty of Arts and Design, at the Tshwane University of Technology’s vibrant Arts campus from 8 to 10 July 2026.
The City of Tshwane is an integral partner and supports this intellectual engagement with our national and international delegates in the capital city of Pretoria. Additional partners have extended their collaboration to host the last day of the conference at Freedom Park, with the opening function scheduled to take place at the South African State Theatre on the evening of 7 July 2026.
The conference conveners are also in discussion with the African Women Playwrights Network (AWPN) towards including their works in the programme.
The conference has already identified two leading forums for publication. The African Performance Review which is a bi-annual peer-reviewed journal of the African Theatre Association, will publish a conference proceedings edition while the South African Theatre Journal (SATJ) has agreed to publish a special issue. Submitted articles should develop ideas that emerged from the conference discussions and engagements.
Besides academic articles, reflexive essays, reviews, interviews and reflections based on the performances and panels presented at the conference are welcome. As a post-conference reflection, only papers presented at the AfTA 2026 conference will be eligible for submission.
Read about the conference here:
Early bird registration opens on 16 March 2026; and full price registration commences from 1 May 2026.
Applicants are reminded that they will be required to pay AfTA membership fees to be able to participate in the conference.
Further details on AfTA membership are available on the following link: https://africantheatreassociation.org/
