Facilitated by Professor Emerita Joanne Tompkins, this session reviews results of a “snapshot survey” of the state of play within the discipline/s that asks: What’s happening in theatre and performance studies in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia? 

Information from the survey has informed this articulation of the changes to our discipline in the tertiary sector in the last 5-7 years. Presenting a quantitative and qualitative account, the session also aims to provide an additional opportunity for delegates to narrate what has been lost, and what might be gained in context of the impact of COVID-19, and to consider how changes in policy and other variables such as government funding, institutional change and industry demands impact on theatre and performance studies. The session aims to build solidarity and to collaborate in building up a collection of strategic priorities. We hope to use the transcript of the session to inform further advocacy and research.