Our host cities, San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico, provide the perfect site for this bi-national conference. These two cities share the busiest land border in the Western Hemisphere, with over 150,000 pedestrians and passenger vehicles crossing daily. Tijuana has become one of the most visited cities in the world, known for nightclubs, restaurants, beaches, and the famous Caesar Salad. San Diego is known for its cultural heritage sites, richly diverse neighborhoods, and an abundance of craft breweries. While there are barriers, both physical and governmental, this region is interconnected by a shared cultural and environmental ecosystem. Did you know: 1 in 4 people in Tijuana speak English and half of the San Diego population speaks Spanish?

The diversity of the area encompasses the Kumeyaay people and Chicanas/os whose lineage in the area goes back six generations (or more) to communities who trace their origins to places all over the globe. Some of the diverse communities in the San Diego area also include: the Filipino community numbering more than 200,000, one of the largest populations of Iraqis outside of Iraq, the Sudanese community, and military service members from multiple branches. This region understands how to build consensus and work across divides of various kinds.

This year’s conference will be hosted by San Diego State University, the oldest higher education system in San Diego which continues to make a significant impact on the region; the Old Globe Theatre, a Tony-Award winning theatre in its ninetieth year, located in historic Balboa Park which features eighteen museums as well as the San Diego Zoo; and Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT), an essential part of artistic life in Tijuana, including presentations of work from 16 states of the Mexican Republic and more than 19 countries around the world.

The LMDA Conference Committee is currently seeking proposals (in English or Spanish) until January 31, 2025 to be presented in San Diego or Tijuana. 

2025 LMDA In-Person Conference Call For Proposals

What does “Dramaturgy and Creative Infrastructure” mean? 

We want to know what this year’s theme means to you. We are open to exploring a range of things from the perspective of creative partners across the performing arts. For example, looking at how to build/rebuild infrastructures related to things like our current economic realities, artists needs, and the importance of work-life balance. What do you think we need to do to build audiences in communities and on campuses? Which conversations need to be had around dramaturgical and literary management practices? How do current issues facing the San Diego/Tijuana communities affect the performing arts community?

What kinds of artists or careers can present at the LMDA Conferences?

We welcome early, mid-, or seasoned theater scholars, artists, and practitioners from across North America. (Shout out to our Canada and Mexico members!) Educators, dramaturgs and dramaturgical-hyphenates, literary managers, producers, directors, choreographers, writers, filmmakers, librarians, and other creative partners are invited to apply.

What are the requirements for submitting a proposal? 

Simply fill out the online proposal, which will ask for a brief abstract (no more than 200 words); your category (panel discussion, interactive workshop, individual paper/presentation, or performance); a main contact and list of all involved participants if applicable; and any technological, language, and accessibility needs. Applications for the in-person conference are due by Friday, January 31, 2025. 

For additional questions, please reach out to Danielle Ward, the In-Person Conference Coordinator at: conferencecoordinator@lmda.org.