Originally posted: 11 May, 2020
The time has come to reveal more plenary speakers who will join us at BritGrad 2018!
In this second batch of the plenary lineup are four accomplished experts who specialize in such areas as performance-oriented Shakespeare criticism, festival culture, and Shakespeare education for young people.
On this special occasion of the 20th annual British Graduate Shakespeare Conference, we are thrilled to welcome two plenaries who were instrumental in launching the very first BritGrad: Paul Edmondson, who chaired that 1999 BritGrad committee, and Peter Holland, who initiated the conference as then-Director of the Shakespeare Institute.
You can read a bit about these four plenary speakers below and learn more about them and previously announced plenaries here.
Paul Edmondson, Head of Research and Knowledge at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Paul is the co-editor of many books about Shakespeare, including, with Stanley Wells, Shakespeare Beyond Doubt: Evidence, Argument, Controversy. He has also has taken up a number of poetic commissions in recent years, including the anthem for Stratford-upon-Avon’s Shakespeare Sunday service.
Peter Holland, Professor in Shakespeare Studies and Associate Dean for the Arts at the University of Notre Dame. A central figure in performance-oriented Shakespeare criticism, Peter is the Editor of Shakespeare Survey, the U.K.’s leading Shakespeare journal, and is General Editor for a number of book series, including the Arden Shakespeare 18-volume series Great Shakespeareans.
Tracy Irish, freelance practitioner who works regularly with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Warwick Business School, and the University of Birmingham. Tracy’s practice involves leading and developing theatre-based approaches to Shakespeare study from primary to postgraduate levels. She is an experienced teacher and has worked in a wide range of schools in the U.K. and abroad.
Paul Prescott, Associate Professor at the University of Warwick. Paul’s main research interests lie in Shakespeare in performance, theatre history, the theory and practice of arts criticism, festival culture, and schools and undergraduate pedagogy. He has adapted the text for several major Shakespeare productions, including the National Theatre’s current production of Macbeth.