OVSC 2012 - Ohio Valley Shakespeare Conference

The planning committee of the Ohio Valley Shakespeare Conference seeks proposals for papers or panels from across today's theoretical and methodological landscape that engage some facet of the amalgam "Extreme(ly) Shakespeare(an)." "Extreme Shakespeare" alludes to the wide variety of extremities that can be found in Shakespeare's work. It brings to mind those occasions where the playwright demonstrates either a lack of regard for or a lack of control over the principles of proportionality and balance, to the degree either of those principles were prioritized by dramatists of the early modern period. Of course, extremity is an inherently relative value, which leads to a second facet of the amalgam open to conferees. "Extremely Shakespearean" refers to the fundamental characteristics of Shakespeare's art, craft, thought, philosophy, etc. How might we best operationalize the term "Shakespearean"? What quality or qualities should we identify as the quintessence of Shakespeare's work? Conversely, where do we observe Shakespeare at his least Shakespearean? Have we in the past, do we now, and/or might we ever share a persuasive understanding of what constitutes the most significant attributes of Shakespeare? Is the pursuit a noble quest, or a fool's errand?

The OVSC publishes a volume of selected papers each year and conferees are welcome to submit revised versions of their papers for consideration. Students who present are eligible to compete for the M. Rick Smith Memorial Prize.

Plenary Speakers:

Ralph Alan Cohen
The American Shakespeare Center and Mary Baldwin College

Lina Perkins Wilder
Connecticut College

Featured conference events will include a site-specific production of Hamlet staged by the Marietta College Theatre Department as well as an Esbenshade Series concert with a Shakespearean theme. Other conference events will include a night owl screening of a recent film adaptation, an evening reception at a local establishment, our annual luncheon, coffee, tea & snack breaks that will have you stuffing your pockets "for later," and all the October foliage your eyes can possibly take in.

Abstracts and panel proposals are due by June 8th for an early decision. The final deadline is August 31st. All submissions and inquiries should be directed to Joseph Sullivan at joe.sullivan-AT-marietta.edu or by mail to

Joseph Sullivan
English Department
Marietta College
Marietta, OH 45750.

Conference updates will be posted on our webpage as they become available.