Playwrights, translators, directors and producers from across the globe will gather in Ithaca May 11–12 for the site-specific conference, “Drama Across Borders: The Politics and Poetics of Contemporary Theater in Translation.” Panels and performances will explore how international drama expands the imagination and pushes the boundaries of political conversation.

The conference begins at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, May 11, at 6:30 p.m. with a keynote address from theater producer Elyse Dodgson, director of the International Department at the Royal Court Theatre in London.

On Saturday, May 12, the conference moves to The Cherry Artspace in Ithaca from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. with presentations and performances of new works in translation from Argentina, Austria, China, Finland, France, Korea, Palestine, Poland, Romania and Syria. Rebekah Maggor, assistant professor of performing and media arts, and Sam Buggeln, artistic director at The Cherry, will direct a number of short performances with members of The Cherry Arts Acting Company and students from Cornell University and Ithaca College.

“Drama Across Borders” is supported by the Translation Network at the Society for the Humanities, the University Lectures Committee, the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies and an Affinito-Stewart Grant from the President’s Council of Cornell Women.

All events are free and open to the public.

Lindsey White is communications manager for the Department of Performing and Media Arts.