The records of Theatre Without Borders (TWB), donated to the University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections and Archives in 2021, are now open for research. The 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. Theatre Without Borders is a global, all-volunteer, grassroots, virtual community that shares information and builds connections between individuals and institutions interested in international theatre and performance exchange.

The University of Iowa’s Department of Theatre Arts is pleased to have the collection available to students enrolled in the Social Justice and Performing Arts Certificate that launched in fall 2022.  The department regularly hosts artists from TWB, enriching 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.”