1.2 Historical development of performance studies
4 min read•august 13, 2024
emerged in the late 20th century, blending theater, anthropology, and . It expanded to include rituals, everyday life, and a wide range of performance practices, while engaging with critical theory and .
The field's roots lie in oral interpretation and literature performance. Key scholars like , , and shaped its development, drawing from anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies to examine performance in various contexts.
Origins and Evolution of Performance Studies
Emergence as a Distinct Academic Discipline
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- Performance studies emerged as a distinct academic discipline in the latter half of the 20th century
- Drew from various fields such as theater, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies
- Incorporated cultural performances, rituals, and everyday life in the 1970s, influenced by the work of anthropologists such as and
Expansion and Engagement with Critical Theory
- In the 1980s and 1990s, performance studies expanded to include a wider range of performance practices (dance, music, )
- Began to engage with critical theory, , and identity politics
- Continues to evolve, incorporating new methodologies, technologies, and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of performance in various contexts
Roots in Oral Interpretation and Literature Performance
- The roots of performance studies can be traced back to the study of oral interpretation
- Work of scholars such as Wallace Bacon and Isabel Hungerland in the 1950s and 1960s focused on the performance of literature
- This early focus on the interpretation and performance of texts laid the foundation for the broader understanding of performance that would develop in later decades
Key Scholars in Performance Studies
Richard Schechner and Performance Theory
- Richard Schechner, a theater director and scholar, is considered one of the founding figures of performance studies
- Known for his work on performance theory, ritual, and intercultural performance
- Developed influential concepts such as "" and ""
Dwight Conquergood and Performance Ethnography
- Dwight Conquergood, an ethnographer and performance scholar, contributed to the development of
- Studied marginalized communities through performance
- Emphasized the ethical and political dimensions of performance research
Peggy Phelan and Feminist Performance Theory
- Peggy Phelan, a feminist scholar and theorist, has explored the relationship between performance, gender, and representation
- Contributed to the development of queer theory and performance
- Challenged traditional notions of visibility and presence in performance
Diana Taylor and Latin American Performance Studies
- , a scholar of Latin American performance, has contributed to the study of performance and politics
- Developed the concept of the "" (enduring materials) and the "" (embodied practices) in relation to cultural memory
- Examined the role of performance in the transmission of cultural knowledge and resistance
Influences on Performance Studies
Anthropology and the Study of Social Dramas
- Anthropology has had a significant influence on performance studies, particularly through the work of Victor Turner
- Turner's concept of examines the role of performance in the resolution of social conflicts
- Anthropological approaches have emphasized the cultural and symbolic dimensions of performance
Sociology and the Performance of Everyday Life
- Sociology has contributed to the study of performance through the work of Erving Goffman
- Goffman analyzed everyday life as a series of performances and explored the construction of social roles and identities
- Sociological perspectives have highlighted the ways in which performance is embedded in social structures and power relations
Theater as a Foundational Discipline
- Theater has been a foundational discipline for performance studies
- Provides a framework for understanding performance as a mode of communication and expression
- Serves as a site for the exploration of social and political issues through embodied practice
Cultural Studies and the Politics of Performance
- Cultural studies has influenced performance studies through its emphasis on the study of popular culture, media, and the
- Engages with critical theory and postcolonial studies to examine the ways in which performance both reflects and shapes cultural identities and power relations
- Highlights the potential of performance as a mode of resistance and social change
Contextual Influences on Performance Studies
Civil Rights and Identity Politics
- The and the rise of identity politics in the 1960s and 1970s had a significant impact on the development of performance studies
- Led to a greater emphasis on the study of marginalized communities and the politics of representation
- Performance studies scholars began to examine the ways in which performance could be used to challenge dominant narratives and assert alternative identities
Postmodernism and the Critique of Grand Narratives
- The postmodern turn in the 1980s and 1990s influenced performance studies through its critique of grand narratives and emphasis on the constructed nature of reality
- Performance studies scholars began to explore the relationship between performance and technology, and the ways in which performance could be used to subvert or resist dominant cultural norms
- Postmodern approaches have emphasized the fragmentation and multiplicity of identities and the role of performance in the construction of meaning
Globalization and Intercultural Performance
- Globalization and the rise of intercultural performance have led to a greater emphasis on the study of performance across cultural boundaries
- Performance studies scholars have explored issues related to cultural exchange, appropriation, and hybridity
- Intercultural performance has highlighted the ways in which performance can both reinforce and challenge cultural stereotypes and power relations
Digital Media and Technology
- The increasing importance of digital media and technology has had a significant impact on performance studies
- Led to the development of new methodologies for studying performance in virtual and mediated contexts
- Performance studies scholars have examined the ways in which technology shapes the production, circulation, and reception of performance, as well as the ways in which performance can critique or resist technological norms
Key Terms to Review (30)
American Society for Theatre Research: The American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) is a professional organization dedicated to the study of theatre and performance in America and beyond. It serves as a platform for scholars and practitioners to share research, foster discussions, and promote the academic study of theatre, thus playing a crucial role in the historical development of performance studies by providing resources and support for researchers and educators in the field.
Archive: An archive is a collection of historical documents and records that provide valuable information about past events, practices, and cultures. In the context of performance studies, archives serve as vital repositories for preserving performances, scripts, and other materials that contribute to the understanding of historical and contemporary performances. They help scholars and practitioners analyze how performances have evolved over time and offer insights into the cultural significance of these works.
Avant-garde: Avant-garde refers to innovative and experimental approaches in the arts that challenge traditional norms and conventions. It plays a crucial role in reshaping the landscape of performance and expression, often reflecting societal changes and pushing boundaries of creativity, making it a key element in the historical evolution of performance studies and various artistic movements.
Civil Rights Movement: The Civil Rights Movement was a social and political movement in the United States aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans, primarily during the 1950s and 1960s. It sought to secure equal rights under the law and was marked by nonviolent protests, legal challenges, and grassroots organizing. The movement's cultural expressions and performances played a critical role in raising awareness and mobilizing support for its goals.
Cross-disciplinary practices: Cross-disciplinary practices refer to approaches that integrate knowledge, methods, and perspectives from multiple disciplines to enhance understanding and innovation. This blending of ideas allows for richer exploration and creative problem-solving, making it particularly significant in fields like performance studies where diverse influences intersect.
Cultural Studies: Cultural studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the ways in which culture shapes and is shaped by social, political, and economic contexts. It explores the practices, beliefs, and values of various groups and how these influence identity, power dynamics, and societal structures. This field is deeply connected to historical development, drawing from different theoretical approaches, and emphasizes the significance of diverse perspectives in understanding performance in various cultural contexts.
Diana Taylor: Diana Taylor is a prominent scholar in the field of performance studies, known for her work on the relationships between performance, memory, and cultural politics. She has made significant contributions to understanding how performance functions as a means of transmitting knowledge and as a tool for social change, particularly in contexts of historical trauma and marginalized communities. Her ideas emphasize the importance of embodied knowledge and the role of performance in shaping collective memory.
Dwight Conquergood: Dwight Conquergood was a significant figure in the field of performance studies, known for his work that bridged the gap between academic scholarship and community-based performance practices. He emphasized the importance of performance as a way of understanding culture and social issues, advocating for the inclusion of marginalized voices in the study of performance. His focus on ethnography and participatory theater underscored the role of performance in fostering social change and community engagement.
Erving Goffman: Erving Goffman was a Canadian sociologist and a key figure in the field of performance studies, particularly known for his work on the presentation of self in everyday life. His ideas emphasize the notion that social interactions are performed, suggesting that individuals manage their impressions in various social contexts, which connects deeply to concepts of identity, roles, and societal norms.
Ethnography: Ethnography is a qualitative research method used to study and understand human behavior and cultural practices through direct observation, participation, and in-depth interviews. This approach allows researchers to immerse themselves in the daily lives of the subjects, leading to rich, contextual insights that highlight the complexities of performance and cultural expressions. Ethnography plays a vital role in understanding how performance is shaped by social, cultural, and historical factors, ultimately contributing to the development of performance studies as a discipline.
Identity Politics: Identity politics refers to political positions and movements that are based on the interests and perspectives of social groups with shared identities, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or class. This concept emphasizes how these identities shape individual experiences and collective struggles within the socio-political landscape, influencing advocacy and representation.
Installation art: Installation art is a type of artwork that transforms a space into an immersive experience, often incorporating various materials, objects, and media to create a specific environment. This form of art engages the viewer not just visually but also emotionally and physically, allowing for interaction and exploration within the installation. It often challenges traditional boundaries of art by moving beyond the canvas or pedestal and inviting the audience to become a part of the artwork itself.
Intermediality: Intermediality refers to the blending and interaction of different media forms and genres within performance, creating a space where boundaries between traditional mediums—like theater, dance, film, and digital art—are blurred. This concept highlights the potential for new meanings and experiences that arise from these hybrid forms, shaping both the understanding of performance and its presentation.
Peggy Phelan: Peggy Phelan is a prominent scholar in the field of performance studies, known for her influential writings that explore the intersections of performance, identity, and representation. Her work challenges the traditional notions of performance by emphasizing the ephemeral nature of live events and arguing that performance cannot be fully captured through documentation. Phelan’s ideas have significantly shaped feminist and queer theories, particularly in understanding how performance can serve as a site for examining gender and sexuality.
Performance art: Performance art is a live artistic expression that combines elements of theater, visual arts, and sometimes music or dance, often emphasizing the artist's body as a medium of communication. This form of art challenges traditional boundaries by inviting audiences to engage with the work in real-time, creating a unique dialogue between performer and observer. Performance art often incorporates personal narratives, social commentary, or political themes, allowing artists to explore complex ideas in a visceral and immediate way.
Performance as social practice: Performance as social practice refers to the concept that performance is not just an isolated event or artistic expression but is deeply embedded in social interactions and cultural contexts. This understanding highlights how performances reflect and shape the dynamics of society, including identity, community, and power relations. The idea emphasizes the participatory nature of performance, suggesting that audiences are not mere spectators but active participants in creating meaning.
Performance Ethnography: Performance ethnography is a qualitative research method that combines the principles of ethnography with the aesthetics of performance to represent cultural practices and social interactions. This approach emphasizes the importance of embodied knowledge, personal narratives, and the performative aspects of everyday life, allowing researchers to capture the lived experiences of individuals and communities in a dynamic and engaging way.
Performance studies: Performance studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the nature and significance of performance in various contexts, including theatre, dance, music, and everyday life. This field explores how performance shapes human interactions and social practices, integrating theories from cultural studies, anthropology, and communication to analyze the ways in which meaning is constructed through performance.
Performativity: Performativity refers to the idea that language and actions can create or constitute reality rather than simply describe it. This concept is crucial in understanding how performances shape social constructs, identities, and interactions, connecting deeply with the historical roots of performance studies, essential terminology, and its interdisciplinary nature across various fields.
Politics of Representation: The politics of representation refers to the ways in which individuals, groups, and ideas are portrayed and understood within social and cultural contexts. It involves examining who gets to tell stories, whose voices are amplified or silenced, and how these representations shape perceptions and power dynamics in society. This concept is deeply intertwined with issues of identity, authority, and the construction of meaning in various forms of performance and artistic expression.
Postmodernism: Postmodernism is an artistic and cultural movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by skepticism towards grand narratives and ideologies, embracing fragmentation, and celebrating diversity of perspectives. It often blurs the boundaries between high and low art, challenges traditional forms of representation, and explores the concept of intertextuality, which connects to how personal narratives can reflect broader social contexts and adapt various influences in performance.
Repertoire: Repertoire refers to the collection of skills, techniques, and works that a performer or a group of performers can draw upon in their practice. It embodies not only the specific pieces that can be performed but also the interpretive styles, methods, and cultural contexts that inform those performances. The understanding of repertoire has evolved significantly over time, influenced by historical shifts in performance practices, cultural exchanges, and advancements in technology.
Restored Behavior: Restored behavior refers to the practice of recreating or reenacting past actions, performances, or traditions that are no longer in their original context. This concept emphasizes the idea of bringing back cultural expressions or performance styles that have been lost, altered, or forgotten over time, making it a significant aspect in understanding the historical development and key concepts of performance studies.
Richard Schechner: Richard Schechner is a prominent performance theorist and scholar known for his work in defining and expanding the field of performance studies. His theories emphasize the social, cultural, and ritualistic aspects of performance, encouraging a broader understanding of what constitutes performance beyond traditional theater.
Site-specific performance: Site-specific performance refers to theatrical works created and performed in a particular location that is integral to the meaning and experience of the piece. This type of performance often engages with the environment, history, and social context of the site, creating a unique interaction between the audience and the performance that can't be replicated elsewhere.
Social Dramas: Social dramas are public performances that occur during times of social conflict, revealing the underlying tensions and dynamics within a community. These dramas often involve a series of escalating events that reflect broader social issues, showcasing how individuals or groups navigate crises and seek resolution through performance. They serve as a vital lens for understanding the interactions and negotiations within societies as they deal with conflict, identity, and change.
The Association for Theatre in Higher Education: The Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) is a professional organization dedicated to promoting the importance of theatre and performance studies in higher education. Founded in 1986, ATHE provides a platform for educators, scholars, and practitioners to collaborate, share research, and advocate for the field. It plays a crucial role in shaping curricula and establishing standards within theatre programs across colleges and universities.
The body in performance: The body in performance refers to the physical presence of the performer as a crucial element in conveying meaning, emotion, and narrative during a performance. It encompasses not only the physicality and movements of the performer but also how cultural, social, and historical contexts shape the representation of the body on stage. The exploration of the body in performance reveals insights into identity, power dynamics, and the relationship between performer and audience.
Theatrical renaissance: The theatrical renaissance refers to the period of renewed interest and innovation in the performing arts that began in the late 15th century and continued into the 17th century, primarily in Europe. This era was characterized by the revival of classical Greek and Roman ideas, leading to significant developments in theater, literature, and performance techniques, which in turn laid the groundwork for modern theater practices.
Victor Turner: Victor Turner was a prominent anthropologist known for his work on performance, particularly in the context of rituals and social processes. His theories on liminality and communitas have profoundly influenced the study of performance, especially in understanding how individuals transition through various social roles and experiences.