Australasian Association for Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies


The Australasian Association for Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies, formerly the Australian Drama Studies Association, is an academic association promoting the study of theatre in New Zealand and Australia.

History

The Australian Drama Studies Association was established in 1977 by Philip Parsons , an academic in drama based at the University of New South Wales, known also for being a co-founder of the performing arts publishing company Currency Press.
The association changed its name in 1993, but kept the abbreviation of ADSA.

Publications and conferences

ADSA publishes a peer-reviewed journal, Australian Drama Studies, established in 1982. It also holds an annual conference.

Awards

ADSA awards a number of prizes, as well as life memberships. Notable life members include Lisa Warrington, Katharine Brisbane, Gareth Griffiths, and David O’Donnell.
Awards include:
  • Marlis Thiersch Prize – "for research excellence in an English-language article or book chapter published anywhere in the world in the broad field of theatre and performance studies"
  • Rob Jordan Prize – for "the best book on a theatre, drama or performance studies related subject published in the previous two years"
  • Joanne Tompkins Prize – for "excellence in book and journal editing", once every four years, starting in 2017
  • Peta Tait Prize – for "excellence in creative projects and scholarship achievement over time".
  • Flinders University AusStage Prize – "to recognise research excellence that utilises AusStage in articles, books, and non-traditional digital outputs"

    Philip Parsons Prize

The Philip Parsons Prize for Performance as Research is "an annual Philip Parsons Prize for a senior student undertaking a Performance As Research project". The inaugural award was given in 1995, but it has not been awarded every year since then. Prizewinners include:
  • 2021 Michael Metzger
  • 2019 Margi Brown Ash
  • 2018 Alex Tálamo
  • 2017 Lynne Bradley and David Joseph
  • 2016 Suzie J. Jarmain
  • 2015 Natasha Budd
  • 2014 Emily O'Connor
  • 2013 Teresa Izzard
  • 2011 Rachel Swain
  • 2009 Ben Knapton
  • 2008 Leah Mercer
  • 2007 David Fenton
  • 2005 Liza-Mare Syron
  • 2004 Julie Robson
  • 2003 Amanda Lynch and Neal Harvey
  • 2000 Michael Noble
  • 1998 Sandra d'Urso
  • 1997 Cracka Theatre Company
  • 1996 Stacey Callaghan
  • 1995 Tim Benzie