Annual General Meeting
Australasian Association for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies

Friday July 6th 2007
The Open Stage, Art Centre Building,
University of Melbourne

The meeting was opened at 2.11pm, with Jonathan Bollen in the Chair

1. Attendance and Apologies

Present: Jonathan Bollen (chair), Tracy Bourne, Tom Burvill, Angela Campbell, Amanda Card, Maryrose Casey, Christine Comans, Glenn d'Cruz, Sandra D'Urso, Peter Eckersall, Rosemary Farrell, Russell Fewster, David Fenton, Sandra Gattenhof, Helena Grehan, Adrian Guthrie, Bree Hadley, Hilary Halba, Janys Hayes, Ryan Hartigan Rand Hazou, Guy Hooper, Emma Hughes, Adrian Kiernander, Suzanne Little, Alison Lyssa, Ian Maxwell, Glen McGillivray, Ailsa McPherson, Leah Mercer, Ronaldo Morelos, Geoffrey Milne, Renée Newman-Storen, Swati Pal, Rosemary Parsons, Maggi Phillips, Gaye Poole, Veronica Quinteros, Paul Rae, Alison Richards, Meredith Rogers, Kate Rossmanith, Mark Seton, Edward Scheer, Yana Taylor, Caroline Wake, David Williams and Joanna Winchester.

Apologies: Bill Dunstone, Paul Dwyer, Laura Ginters, Jerry Jaffe, Veronica Kelly, Kate Leader, Paul Makeham Gay McAuley, Paul Moore, David O'Donnell, Julie Robson, Peta Tait, Joanne Tompkins and Lisa Warrington.

2. Minutes of the 2006 Annual General Meeting

Amendment noted: Adrian Kiernander to be included in the list of judges for the 2007 Rob Jordan prize.

Moved: that the minutes of the 2006 ADSA AGM be accepted as a true and accurate record (Geoffrey Milne/Meredith Rogers). Passed.

3. Business arising from the minutes.
It was noted that all matters arising from the minutes would come up later in the agenda

4. President's Report
i) The President thanked Paul Makeham for his contribution as President of ADSA from 2003 to 2006, noting Paul's many contributions to the organization, including:
initiating the ADSA History Project;
convening the 1999 ADSA Conference, 'Industrial Relations' at the Queensland University of Technology, a key moment in which ADSA addressed its relationship to the field of performing arts;
his development and championing of new ways of talking about research in the 'theatre plus' disciplines;
his effort in building and sustaining membership, including his implementation of a new membership renewal process that has considerably streamlined the management of this vexed area; and
his assistance in helping the current president to become familiar with the role.
Paul's work as President was recognised with acclamation by the meeting.

ii) The President outlined the three priority areas in which ADSA works;
the Annual Conference;
communications: specifically the website; and
the maintenance of the mentors' and friends' list.

iii) Members' achievements
The President noted the achievements of members over the past years, including

the four books launched at this conference. The authors in question - Peter Eckersall, Joanne Tompkins, Jacqui Lo and Helen Gilbert and were commended and congratulated.
The Carrick Citations for Teaching awarded to the University of New England and the Drama Centre at Flinders University;
The successful completion and award of PhDs to Andrew Filmer, Stuart Grant, Pauline Manley and Yana Taylor (all at the University of Sydney)

iv) The President noted the following movements:
 Ed Scheer to Warwick University (UK);
 Kerrie Schaefer to Exeter University (UK); Bree Hadley to QUT;
 Julie Robson to Edith Cowan University;
 Leah Mercer to Curtin University
 Jutka Devenyi to the University of Auckland
 Alyson Campbell to Queens University, Belfast

v) Recent PhD completions and awards
The President congratulated the following candidates who have been awarded PhDs:
 Andrew Filmer
 Pauline Manley
 Stuart Grant
 Yana Taylor

5. Treasurer's Report

The Treasurer made an interim report, pending clarification of differential membership fees, and resolution of the accounting cycle.

A signed-off financial report will be circulated to the Executive for approval.

In general terms, the organisation's financial position is very strong.

The meeting noted this interim report.

6. Elections
The returning officer, Ian Maxwell, reported that at the close of nominations at 11.30am on the day of the AGM, the following nominations had been received:

For President:      Jonathan Bollen
For Vice-President:    Gay Poole
For Secretary:     Ian Maxwell
For Treasurer:     Meredith Rogers
For Executive Member (Linkages):  Adrian Kiernander
For Executive Member (Regional):  Janys Hayes
      Maggi Phillips
For Executive Member (At Large):  Janys Hayes
      Glen McGillivray
      David Williams
      Alison Richards

The postgraduate caucus had also nominated a Postgraduate Representative: Joanna Winchester.

The uncontested nominations were declared.

Two ballots were then conducted for the offices of Executive Member (Regional) and Executive Member (At Large). Both ballots were counted by Ian Maxwell and Adrian Kiernander. The successful candidates were
 
Executive Member (Regional): Maggi Phillips
Executive Member (At Large): David Williams

It was noted that Geoffrey Milne remains on the Executive as Representative from Australasian Drama Studies, as does the immediate Past President, Paul Makeham, and the convenor of the 2008 conference, Jerry Jaffe. There is as yet no confirmed venue for the 2009 conference.

7. Membership
The Treasurer reported that current membership is $90 for full members, and $60 for concessions.

Membership currently stands at 123, up from 120 this time last year, and a gain of about 20 overall since 2005.

8. Prizes and Rotation of Judges
For 2008:
Marlis Thiersch Prize for a Scholarly Article by a Member
Peter Eckersall (convenor), Laura Ginters and David O'Donnell
Philip Parsons Prize for Performance as Research
Ian Maxwell (convenor) and David Fenton
Rob Jordan Prize for a Book by a Member
Adrian Kiernander (convenor), Maryrose Casey and Tom Burvill
The Veronica Kelly Prize for best paper by a Postgraduate at the Annual Conference will again be convened by Geoffrey Milne, drawing upon colleagues at the next conference.

9. Conferences
9.1 University of Sydney, 2006
The President thanked the organisers of the 2006 conference at the University of Sydney for the management of that event. He reported that the refereed on-line publication of papers from that conference is proceeding, albeit not as quickly as originally hoped. With over 45 papers submitted, the refereeing job has been onerous. The publication will be ready by the end of this year.

9.2 University of Melbourne/La Trobe University, 2007
The President thanked Peter Eckersall and Meredith Rogers, the co-convenors of the 2007 conference for another well-organised and successful event.

He also thanked the keynote speakers - Hannie Rayson, Una Chaudri, Michael Eigtved and Marianne Van Kerkheven - for their contributions so far, and John Romeril in advance for his talk at the Conference Dinner.

The President made special mention of the contribution of postgraduate and honours students to the successful operation of the conference, and especially thanked Melinda Hetzel for her tireless work over several months, without which things would not have been nearly as smooth for all involved.

9.3 University of Otago, 2008
Suzanne Little and Hilary Halba presented a slideshow, detailing the manifold attractions of the University of Otago, Dunedin and the Otago region.

The conference theme is 'A Sense of Place', and Professor Phil Auslander from Georgia State Tech is confirmed as a keynote speaker.

9.4 2009, 2010 and beyond . . .
Expressions of interest:
2009 Possibly a jointly-convened conference in Western Australia, with ECU and Curtin potentially collaborating
2010 The University of Auckland is interested in convening a conference on the theme of 'Theatre/Performance and Science'.

The executive will follow up initial expressions of interest.

10. Postgraduate Report
Rand Hazou, Executive Postgraduate Representative reported that the postgraduates held a successful caucus during this conference, in the course of which Joanne Winchester was elected as the Postgraduate Representative to the Executive.

In addition, the caucus raised a number of issues for consideration:
Postgraduates reported a sense of isolation, particularly in the context of the shrinking of theatre, drama and performance studies departments nationally. The incoming Postgraduate Representative to the Executive has proposed developing inter-institutional networks and a register of postgraduates to address this;
Recommendation that the ADSA website host a chatroom/blog for ADSA postgraduates;
The possibility of a guest register for ADSA conferences to allow colleagues/practitioners to attend single sessions/panels where a postgraduate is presenting. This would facilitate dialogue between academics and practitioners;
The possibility of a postgraduate journal, or an issue of Australasian Drama Studies devoted to postgraduate publications; and
A concern about the quality of supervision, and concerns around intellectual property for postgraduates.

Some brief discussion ensued. With regard to iii), it was agreed to add the idea of a guest register to the ADSA Conference Guidelines (available on website).

With regard to iv), it was pointed out that there are now three refereed journals in the 'theatre plus' field published from Australia (in addition to the one-off conference proceedings from 2006) all of which regularly publish postgraduate essays. In other words, there is no shortage of opportunities to publish.

However, Tom Burvill offered to help sound out the possibility of an on-line publication/forum for postgraduates in the field, including the proposal for a blog/chatroom (this also as a response to ii), above).

With regard to the quality of supervision, and the sense of isolation experienced by postgraduates, it was noted that the pressures associated with the down-sizing of departments is having a clear impact upon academic workloads. The urgency of the situation was to be addressed later in the meeting (see 13, below).

11. Publications Report
11.1 Australasian Drama Studies
Geoffrey Milne, editor, reported that:
there is a significant effort involved in getting two issues out annually;
postgraduates are published if the work is of a sufficient quality;
there is no possibility given the workloads involved (including refereeing), that a third issue could be produced annually;
ADS is 'rolling in dough', not only through subscriptions, but through payments through copyright agency, as a result of the reproduction of ADS material in course readers and the like;
his thanks to Glenn D'Cruz, reviews editor, and to Lisa Warrington and Jerry Jaffe in New Zealand for their help in this area; and, finally
he is loving doing the job.

Glen d'Cruz added that he is planning to post a list of books for review on the ADSA website, with a view to attracting potential reviewers. Reviewers should contact Glen directly, seeking, additionally, a style guide when proposing a review. An email reminder will go to members reminding them to consult the list of available titles.

The report was received with acclamation.

11.2 Performance Paradigm
Ed Scheer, editor, reported that the third issue is now available on-line, free. There are now 650 registered readers, and the journal is also publishing postgraduates. The new site architecture was demonstrated, and the theme of the next issue, 'Emerging 21st Century Performances', advertised.

Reviews editor is Helena Grehan.

11.3 About Performance
Ian Maxwell briefly reported that About Performance 7: Local Acts - Site-Based Performance Practice will shortly be available, and that No. 8 (2008) Still/Moving: Photography and Live Performance is in preparation. A flier for No. 7 was included in the conference package.

12. Research Report
12.1 ADSA History Project
Discussion held over until a later date.
12.2. Research Register
All members were encouraged to fill out and submit a form for the Research Register at the conference desk.
12.3 AusStage
Jonathan Bollen reported that the third phase of the AusStage project had built upon the LERN network project, and received the support of 18 institutions, Jacqui Lo, three industry partners (the Australia Council, Museums Australia and Windmill Performing Arts) and the Australian Research Council. The ARC contributed $300,000 in addition to the $338,000 raised by contributing institutions. Phase three of the project is focussed on enhancing use of the on-line resource.
12.4 Research Quality Framework (RQF)
Jonathan Bollen reported that the RQF is still in development, and that the form it will take depends upon the outcome of the forthcoming federal election.
The Drama Centre at Flinders University has taken the lead in drafting a submissions specification document for performance-based outcomes, and ADSA has been involved in two Council of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) workshops attended by researchers in the broader creative arts.
There is still much to be done in terms of refining requirements for evidence portfolios for the RQF.
Hilary Halba reminded the meeting that New Zealand has already been through an analogous process - the Performance-Based Research Funding model (PBRF), and, on behalf of the New Zealand colleagues, offered help and consultation on the basis of that experience.
12.5 Performance as Research
Alison Richards reported that a considerable momentum had been given to the Performance as Research model through the panels convened at the 2006 conference in Sydney. She acknowledged, in particular, the support of Russell Emerson of the Department of Performance Studies at the University of Sydney in setting up a series of performance showcases during that conference.

It was also reported that the Otago conference convenors will sustain the focus on Performance as Research.

ADSA is to broker an extension of resources of AusStage for the dedicated support of material pertaining to Performance as Research.

13. Advocacy

Motion: 'That given current concerns about threats to established programs in Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, and the discipline's position in upcoming national evaluation exercises:
 1. ADSA affirms the principle that every Australasian university should maintain an adequately resourced program in theatre and/or related studies as an essential element of its academic and cultural mission; and
 2. ADSA therefore directs the Executive to research the state of the discipline and mount a campaign to promote the value and profile of the discipline in both Australia and New Zealand.'
(Moved Alison Richards, Seconded Ian Maxwell).
Carried unanimously.

14. Liaison
Given time constraints, this item was limited to a brief statement from Ed Scheer regarding the significant connection of ADSA to PSi (Performance Studies international). He noted that the 2007 conference of PSi is to be held at New York University, the 2008 conference in Copenhagen, and the 2009 conference, potentially, in Australia.

He also advised that at the recent PSi elections for Executive positions, he had been elected President and Ian Maxwell Vice-President. In addition, other ADSA members on the PSi board include Paul Rae, Peter Eckersall, Peta Tait and Racheal Fensham.

15. Any other business
There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 3.38pm.