🎭Intro to Performance Studies Unit 10 – Ethnography in Performance Research

What is Ethnography?

• Ethnography is a qualitative research method that involves studying people, cultures, and societies in their natural settings
• Originated in anthropology as a way to study and document the customs, beliefs, and practices of different cultural groups
• Involves immersive fieldwork where the researcher participates in and observes the daily lives of the people they are studying
  • This allows the researcher to gain a deep understanding of the culture from an insider's perspective
• Ethnographers aim to provide rich, detailed descriptions of the culture they are studying (thick description)
• Ethnography is interpretive and focuses on understanding the meanings and significance of cultural practices from the perspective of the people being studied
• Ethnographic research is often inductive, meaning that the researcher develops theories and insights based on the data they collect rather than starting with a pre-existing hypothesis
• Ethnography has been adapted and applied in various fields beyond anthropology, including sociology, education, and performance studies

Key Concepts in Performance Studies

• Performance studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines human behavior and cultural practices through the lens of performance
• Sees performance as a broad concept that encompasses not just theatrical performances but also everyday actions, rituals, and social interactions
• Key concept: Performativity
  • The idea that identities, social roles, and cultural meanings are not fixed but are constantly being enacted and reproduced through performance
• Key concept: Embodiment
  • Emphasizes the role of the body in performance and how physical actions and gestures convey meaning
• Key concept: Liminality
  • Refers to the transitional or in-between spaces where performances occur and where social norms and structures are temporarily suspended
• Key concept: Reflexivity
  • The idea that researchers should be aware of their own positionality and how it shapes their interpretations of the performances they study
• Draws on theories and methods from various fields, including anthropology, sociology, theater, and cultural studies

Ethnographic Methods in Performance Research

• Ethnographic methods are commonly used in performance studies to study performances in their cultural contexts
• Involves immersing oneself in the community or culture being studied and participating in performances as both an observer and a participant
• Common ethnographic methods used in performance research include:
  • Participant observation: The researcher takes part in the performances they are studying while also observing and documenting them
  • Interviews: The researcher conducts in-depth interviews with performers, audience members, and other stakeholders to gain insights into their experiences and perspectives
  • Fieldnotes: The researcher keeps detailed notes of their observations, experiences, and reflections throughout the fieldwork process
• Ethnographic research in performance studies often focuses on understanding the meanings and significance of performances from the perspective of the performers and their communities
• May involve studying a wide range of performance genres, including theater, dance, music, ritual, and everyday performances
• Ethnographic methods allow researchers to gain a nuanced understanding of how performances are shaped by and reflect the cultural contexts in which they occur

Fieldwork and Participant Observation

• Fieldwork is a central component of ethnographic research in performance studies
• Involves the researcher immersing themselves in the community or culture they are studying for an extended period of time
• Participant observation is a key method used during fieldwork
  • Involves the researcher actively participating in the performances they are studying while also observing and documenting them
  • Allows the researcher to gain an embodied understanding of the performance from the perspective of the performers
• Fieldwork often involves building relationships and rapport with the community being studied
  • Researchers must be sensitive to the cultural norms and expectations of the community and establish trust and credibility over time
• Fieldnotes are an essential tool for documenting observations and experiences during fieldwork
  • Should include detailed descriptions of performances, interactions, and conversations as well as the researcher's own reflections and interpretations
• Fieldwork can be challenging and emotionally demanding, requiring the researcher to navigate complex social dynamics and ethical considerations
• Participant observation allows researchers to gain a deep, contextualized understanding of performances that may not be possible through other methods

Ethical Considerations in Ethnographic Research

• Ethnographic research in performance studies raises important ethical considerations due to the close relationships and trust built between researchers and participants
• Informed consent is a key ethical principle in ethnographic research
  • Researchers must ensure that participants are fully informed about the purpose and nature of the research and voluntarily agree to participate
  • Consent should be an ongoing process throughout the research, not just a one-time event
• Researchers must protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants
  • Should use pseudonyms or other methods to anonymize data and protect the identities of participants
• Power dynamics between researchers and participants must be carefully navigated
  • Researchers should be aware of their own positionality and how it may impact their relationships with participants
• Researchers have a responsibility to consider the potential impacts of their research on the communities they study
  • Should strive to conduct research that is beneficial and not harmful to participants and their communities
• Researchers should be transparent about their research methods and findings and share results with the communities they study in accessible and meaningful ways
• Ethical considerations should be integrated throughout the research process, from the initial design to the dissemination of findings

Analyzing and Interpreting Ethnographic Data

• Analyzing and interpreting ethnographic data is a complex and iterative process that involves making sense of the rich, detailed data collected through fieldwork
• Researchers typically begin by organizing and coding their fieldnotes and other data sources
  • May involve identifying key themes, patterns, and categories that emerge from the data
• Interpretation involves going beyond description to explore the meanings and significance of the data in relation to the research questions and theoretical frameworks
• Researchers often use a combination of inductive and deductive approaches to analysis
  • Inductive approaches involve allowing themes and insights to emerge from the data itself
  • Deductive approaches involve applying existing theories and concepts to the data to see how well they fit
• Analysis and interpretation are ongoing processes that occur throughout the research, not just at the end
  • Researchers may refine their interpretations and insights as they collect and analyze more data
• Researchers should be reflexive about their own positionality and how it shapes their interpretations of the data
• May involve triangulating data from multiple sources (fieldnotes, interviews, artifacts) to strengthen the validity of interpretations
• The goal of ethnographic analysis is to provide a rich, contextualized understanding of the performances being studied and their cultural significance

Case Studies: Ethnography in Performance

• Case studies are a common way of presenting ethnographic research in performance studies
• Involve providing a detailed, in-depth analysis of a specific performance event or community
• Case studies allow researchers to illustrate key concepts and theories through concrete examples
• Example: Dwight Conquergood's ethnographic study of the Hmong community in Chicago
  • Conquergood immersed himself in the community and participated in various cultural performances, including shamanic healing rituals
  • His case study provides a rich, nuanced understanding of how these performances reflect and shape Hmong cultural identity and experiences of displacement and resettlement
• Example: Joni L. Jones's ethnographic study of African American women's performance art
  • Jones conducted fieldwork with African American women performance artists in the United States, attending performances and conducting interviews
  • Her case study explores how these artists use performance to challenge dominant narratives and assert their own identities and experiences
• Case studies can focus on a wide range of performance genres and cultural contexts
• Provide a way for researchers to apply ethnographic methods and theories to specific, real-world examples
• Can be used to generate new insights and theories about the relationship between performance and culture

Critiques and Limitations of Ethnographic Approaches

• While ethnographic approaches offer valuable insights into the cultural contexts of performance, they also have some limitations and have been subject to critique
• One critique is that ethnographic research is inherently subjective and shaped by the researcher's own positionality and biases
  • Researchers must be reflexive about how their own identities and experiences shape their interpretations of the data
• Ethnographic research has also been criticized for its potential to exploit or misrepresent the communities being studied
  • Researchers must be careful not to reproduce power imbalances or perpetuate stereotypes in their work
• Some argue that ethnographic research can never fully capture the complexity and diversity of cultural experiences
  • Researchers must be cautious about making broad generalizations based on limited data
• Ethnographic research is time-consuming and labor-intensive, which can limit the scope and scale of studies
• The presence of the researcher in the field can also potentially alter the behavior and experiences of participants (observer effect)
• Ethnographic findings may not always be generalizable to other contexts or populations
• Despite these limitations, ethnographic approaches remain a valuable tool for understanding the cultural contexts of performance and generating rich, nuanced insights