A poster features a winged hand reading out of an open book and holding a pen. In the background there is a hot air balloon. The poster has over a dozen autographs on it and is for Book Wings in Moscow, 2012. A black book sits in front of the poster and f

Signed Book Wings poster, 2012. On loan from the International Writing Program.
Christopher Merrill and Ashley Davidson, eds. Book Wings: A Virtual Drama. Iowa City: International Writing Program, 2014. x-Collection [PS617 .B67 2015], Special Collections & Archives.

Note from co-curator Nataša Ďurovičová:

In the era of Zoom teaching, the Book Wings experiment may appear less revolutionary – but a decade ago, live action and interaction on two theater stages synchronized across two continents was the very embodiment of IWP’s informal watchword “only connect.” Especially as what audiences were invited to watch wasn’t just a technological feat but also a real-time comparison of how remote theater artists solved differently very similar literary challenges. A new medium for artistic communication, one could argue.

Three Book Wings program booklets, two for Russia and one for China. They have the same cover design as the poster.

Book Wings booklets. Shanghai: March 12, 2013. Moscow: March 14, 2013. On loan from the International Writing Program.


Trailer: “The University of Iowa International Writing Program broke the barriers of space and time with the innovative new program, Book Wings. Find out how Book Wings can unite stages from across 7,000 miles and three different languages!” Video from the University of Iowa.

“6 Innovative 10-minute plays commissioned by the Book Wings collaborative bilingual theatre initiative from distinguished young playwrights in China and the United States on the central theme of “contact.” These harrowing, controversial, and wildly comic plays were staged collaboratively using digital videoconferencing technology to link the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre and the University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts on March 12, 2013.” Video from the International Writing Program.

“6 Innovative 10-minute plays commissioned by the Book Wings collaborative bilingual theatre initiative from distinguished young playwrights in Russia and the United States on the central theme of “contact.” These moving, mischievous, and darkly humorous plays were staged collaboratively using digital videoconferencing technology to link the Moscow Art Theatre and the University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts on March 14, 2013.” Video from the International Writing Program.