American Society for Theatre Research

The American Society for Theatre Research is a nonprofit organization founded in 1956 dedicated to the study and exchange of theatre and performance from all areas of the world, both historical and contemporary. Every Fall ASTR hosts a conference in conjunction with the Theatre Library Association and has affiliations with many other organizations. Twice a year ASTR publishes a scholarly journal, Theatre Survey, which is dedicated to historical and theoretical studies of theatre and performance.

Theatre Survey, the official journal of the American Society for Theater Research, began publication as an annual in 1960. Originally supported by a Brandeis University grant, it was first edited at Brandeis, and for a few years, at Princeton. Beginning in 1963, Theatre Survey, was supported by the University of Pittsburgh and starting with Volume 5, 1964, when it became a semi-annual publication, it was also edited here. Pitt editors included Ralph G. Allen, George E. Bogusch, Attilio Favorini, and Raymond Pentzell. Dr. Favorini has been Executive Editor from 1972. Editorship of Theatre Survey was transferred from the University of Pittsburgh to State University of New York, Albany campus beginning with Volume 21 in 1980.