Essays in part one of Theatre History Studies, Vol. 35 address theatrical production in very specific historical contexts, among them German theatre “from the rubble of Berlin” and German nationalist mass spectacles. Essays in part two are devoted to the theme of “Rethinking the Maternal” in contemporary and historical theatre. Also included is the Robert A. Schanke Award-winning essay “Whispers from a Silent Past: Inspiration and Memory in Natasha Tretheway’s Native Guard,” a keynote essay by Irma Mayorga, and eighteen reviews of new book publications of note.

Theatre History Studies, published since 1981 by the Mid-American Theatre Conference (MATC) is a leading scholarly publication in the field of theatrical history and theory. The conference encompasses the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The purpose of the conference is to unite persons and organizations within the region with an interest in theatre and to promote the growth and development of all forms of theatre.

Contributions by: Sara Freeman, Jennifer Douglas, Karen Bamford, Brian E. G. Cook, Ann Haugo, Chandra Owenby Hopkins, Rhona Justice-Malloy, Jozefina Komporaly, Karin Maresh, Irma Mayorga, Sheila Rabillard, Rebecca Rovit, Margaret Savilonis, Arden Elizabeth Thomas, Steve Tillis, Scott Venters, Jennifer Worth, Jay Ball, Amanda Boyle, Alex Cahill, Rachel Price Cooper, Danny Devlin, Jennifer Goff, Stuart J. Hecht, Scott C. Knowles, Patrick M. Konesko, Felicia Hardison Londré, Duygu Erdogan Monson, Patrick J. Murray, Wes D. Pearce, Kate Roark, Emily A. Rollie, Michelle Salerno, Claire Syler
Introduction by: Sara Freeman