Theatre Without Borders (TWB) is a global, all-volunteer, grass-roots, virtual community that shares information and builds connections between individuals and institutions interested in international theatre and performance exchange.

The University of Iowa has strong ties to TWB, with Playwriting Professor Lisa Schlesinger (1995 Theatre MFA, 1989 English MFA) and 2023 Dramaturgy MFA grad Robert Ascher serving as core members of the organization. The department regularly hosts guest artists from TWB, enriching the student experience with the opportunity to discuss international artistic collaboration with active practitioners. 

Department Chair Mary Beth Easley notes that, “to have access to the work of Theatre Without Borders and to build relationships with their affiliated artists expands the world view of our students and will empower members of our university body and our broader community to imagine new possibilities, to believe that their own stories are worth living and re-telling.”

The records of Theatre Without Borders were donated to the University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections and Archives in 2021, and are open for research to students enrolled in the UI’s Social Justice and Performing Arts Certificate, which is housed in the Department of Theatre Arts. The TWB collection contains seven linear feet of administrative files, conference materials, subject files on theatre arts activities around the world, scripts, and more dating from 1983 to 2020.