1997 PSi3

Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta with New York University

Attendance estimated by HR in the 300s

Organization founded as "PSI"

Richard Gough elected the first president. Thanks to his efforts, the Centre For Performance Research And The Department Of Theatre, Film And Television At The University Of Wales Aberystwyth agreed to host PSI’s secretariat for the first three years. Heike Roms appointed administrator — PSI office opens in Wales in January 1998. (HR continues in this post until April 2001.)

Peggy Phelan: "By 97 … it seemed clear that it was a good idea to begin a professional organization. We had by then had three successful conferences and the appetite for more dialogue and meetings seemed clear. At the Atlanta conference, we decided to begin the process of institutionalization, which meant composing by-laws, having elections, and registering as a not-for-profit group. This took a long time. Most of this work was done by me and Cindy Brizell, then a student at Performance Studies, NYU. (now at Yale). Cindy was then the secretary of PSi, and I was the treasurer. Richard [Gough] and Heike did tons of work as president and administrative officer."