Call for Co-Editors: Journal of American Drama and Theatre
The Journal of American Drama and Theatre (JADT) seeks applications for an incoming editorial team for a three-year term (Fall 2026- Fall 2029). JADT operates on a model of co-editorship. Co-Editors are expected to communicate duties and share the journal responsibilities. JADT has two dedicated graduate assistants assigned to the journal through the CUNY Graduate Center Theatre and Performance program. Graduate students assist with copyediting and uploading each journal issue on the Open Access website. The start date for the new Co-Editors will be July 1, 2026.
Aims and Scope of Journal:
Founded in 1989, JADT is a widely acclaimed peer-reviewed journal publishing thoughtful and innovative work by leading scholars on theatre, drama, and performance in the Americas—past and present. The journal’s provocative articles provide valuable insight and information on the heritage of American theatre, as well as its continuing contribution to world literature and the performing arts. JADT is fully online and freely accessible. Our aim is to promote research on theatre of the Americas and to encourage historical and theoretical approaches to plays, playwrights, performances, and popular theatre traditions. Studies of dramatic texts from a purely literary perspective are outside the scope of the journal.
Overview of Editorial Duties:
Co-Editors will serve a 3-year term (2026-2029). The first year they will shadow the current editorial team. Their third year will include training the new editorial team.
Co-Editors will shadow current JADT co-editors (Benjamin Gillespie and Bess Rowen) on the Fall 2026 issue and then be responsible for Fall 2027 and Fall 2028 issues
JADT is published twice a year, with one general issue in the Fall and one special issue in the Spring edited by Special Issue Editors
For the Fall issue, the JADT Co-Editors will curate articles, interviews, and roundtables, alongside 4-5 book reviews curated by our Book Review Editor (Stephanie Lim) and 4-5 performance reviews curated by our Performance Review Editor (Jennifer Thompson). Over the past two years, we have also published “New England Theatre in Review” as a special section of performance reviews (edited by Martha S. LoMonoco, previously published by the now defunct New England Theatre Review)
Each Fall issue includes 3-4 articles between 5,000-9,000 words. Co-Editors are responsible for crafting calls for papers, vetting submissions, and matching any potential articles with appropriate peer reviewers. Once articles are accepted, Co-Editors work closely with authors as they revise their work and ready it for publication, sharing feedback on both the macro (structure and theme) and micro (grammar and copyediting) levels. Co-Editors also serve as an extra set of copyeditors on every item in the Fall issue, particularly so they can write a thorough Editorial Introduction. Co-Editors are also able to commission additional interviews and roundtables, which do not require peer review.
Each Spring, JADT publishes a special issue in collaboration with the American Theatre & Drama Society (ATDS) with its own Special Issue Editors. The JADT Co-Editors will serve as advisors to the Special Issue Editor(s), but are not responsible for editing the Spring issue.
JADT is an online-only open access journal run through the Martin E. Segal Theatre Center’s website. Co-Editors will work closely with the Segal Center’s Website Manager to ensure that articles appear correctly on the website. No previous web design or programming experience required, basic training will be provided.
Application Process:
Please submit a 1-page cover letter detailing your interest in this opportunity along with a current CV to Benjamin Gillespie (benjamin.a.gillespie@gmail.com) and Bess Rowen (bess.rowen@gmail.com) by Sunday, March 15th.