🎬Performance Studies Unit 3 – Performance and Identity

Key Concepts in Performance and Identity

• Performance studies explores the connection between performance and the construction, expression, and negotiation of identity
• Identity is a complex, multifaceted concept shaped by various factors (cultural, social, historical, and personal experiences)
• Performativity refers to the idea that identities are not fixed or inherent but are actively constructed and reinforced through repeated actions and behaviors
  • Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity suggests that gender is not an innate identity but is performed through a series of repeated acts and gestures
• Performance can serve as a means of asserting, challenging, or subverting dominant identity categories and norms
• Intersectionality highlights the interconnected nature of various identity markers (race, gender, class, sexuality) and how they shape an individual's experiences and performances
• Embodiment refers to the physical manifestation of identity through the body and its movements, gestures, and appearances
• Liminal spaces are transitional or in-between spaces where identities can be explored, transformed, or challenged through performance
• Representation in performance can either reinforce or challenge stereotypes and dominant narratives about particular identities

Historical Context of Performance Studies

• Performance studies emerged as an interdisciplinary field in the 1970s, drawing from various disciplines (theater, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies)
• Early performance theorists, such as Richard Schechner, expanded the definition of performance beyond traditional theater to include everyday life, ritual, and social interactions
• The field has been influenced by various intellectual movements and theories, including poststructuralism, feminism, queer theory, and postcolonial studies
• Performance studies has historically been concerned with the politics of representation and the ways in which performance can challenge or reinforce power structures and social hierarchies
• The study of performance and identity has been shaped by key historical events and social movements (civil rights movement, women's liberation, LGBTQ+ rights)
• Anthropologists, such as Victor Turner, have contributed to the field by examining the role of performance in ritual and cultural practices
• The rise of digital technologies and social media has created new platforms for performance and identity exploration, leading to new areas of inquiry within performance studies

Theories of Identity Formation

• Identity formation is a dynamic, ongoing process influenced by various factors (social, cultural, historical, and psychological)
• Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory proposes that identity formation is a key task of adolescence and early adulthood, involving the exploration and commitment to various roles and values
• Social identity theory, developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner, emphasizes the importance of group membership in shaping an individual's sense of self and behavior
  • Individuals categorize themselves and others into social groups, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination
• Symbolic interactionism, associated with George Herbert Mead and Erving Goffman, suggests that identity is constructed through social interactions and the meanings individuals attach to these interactions
• Poststructuralist theories, such as those proposed by Michel Foucault and Judith Butler, challenge the notion of a fixed, essential identity and emphasize the role of discourse and power in shaping identities
• Intersectionality, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, highlights the interconnected nature of various identity markers (race, gender, class, sexuality) and how they shape an individual's experiences and opportunities
• Narrative identity theory, developed by Dan McAdams, proposes that individuals construct their identities through the stories they tell about their lives, integrating past experiences, present concerns, and future aspirations

Performance as Identity Expression

• Performance can serve as a means of expressing, exploring, and negotiating various aspects of identity (gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, class)
• Individuals may use performance to assert or affirm their identities, particularly when these identities are marginalized or oppressed
  • Drag performances can be a way for LGBTQ+ individuals to express and celebrate their gender identities and challenge dominant gender norms
• Performance can also be used to challenge or subvert dominant identity categories and norms, exposing their constructed nature and limitations
• Autobiographical performances, such as solo shows or memoirs, allow individuals to share their personal experiences and explore the intersection of their identities
• Collective performances, such as protests or cultural festivals, can be a way for communities to assert their shared identities and advocate for social change
• Performance can serve as a means of healing and empowerment, particularly for individuals who have experienced trauma or oppression related to their identities
• The body is a central site of identity performance, with individuals using their physical appearance, movements, and gestures to communicate aspects of their identities
• Digital performances, such as social media posts or online videos, have become increasingly important sites of identity expression and exploration

Cultural and Social Influences on Performance

• Cultural norms, values, and expectations shape the ways in which individuals perform their identities and interpret the performances of others
• Social institutions, such as family, education, and religion, play a significant role in socializing individuals into particular identity roles and behaviors
• Power structures and social hierarchies, based on factors such as race, gender, and class, can limit or constrain the ways in which individuals are able to perform their identities
  • Marginalized groups may face pressure to conform to dominant cultural norms or stereotypes in their performances
• Cultural traditions and rituals, such as rites of passage or religious ceremonies, often involve performative elements that reinforce particular identity roles and values
• Media representations of various identities can shape public perceptions and influence the ways in which individuals perform their own identities
  • Stereotypical or limited media representations can perpetuate harmful identity norms and limit the range of available identity performances
• Globalization and cross-cultural exchange have led to the hybridization and diversification of identity performances, as individuals draw from multiple cultural influences and traditions
• Social movements and political activism often involve performative elements, such as protests or public demonstrations, that challenge dominant identity norms and advocate for social change

Case Studies: Notable Performances and Identities

• "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler: A series of monologues exploring women's experiences and identities, challenging taboos surrounding female sexuality and body
• "Paris is Burning" (1990 documentary): Examines the ballroom culture of New York City's LGBTQ+ African American and Latino communities, highlighting the performative nature of gender and the creation of chosen families
• "The Laramie Project" by Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project: A play based on interviews with residents of Laramie, Wyoming, following the murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard, exploring themes of homophobia, community, and identity
• "Nanette" by Hannah Gadsby: A stand-up comedy special that deconstructs the genre and delves into Gadsby's experiences as a queer woman, challenging the notion of self-deprecating humor and the expectations placed on marginalized performers
• "The Singing Detective" by Dennis Potter: A television miniseries that uses musical performances and fantasy sequences to explore the protagonist's fragmented identity and memories, blurring the lines between reality and fiction
• "The Wooster Group's "The Emperor Jones": A deconstruction of Eugene O'Neill's play, highlighting the performative nature of race and the legacy of minstrelsy in American theater
• Marina Abramović's performance art: Abramović's works often involve endurance, vulnerability, and the exploration of the artist's physical and emotional limits, challenging traditional boundaries between performer and audience

Practical Applications and Techniques

• Practitioners can use performance techniques, such as role-play or improvisation, to explore and develop various aspects of their identities
  • Theater of the Oppressed, developed by Augusto Boal, uses participatory theater exercises to address social and political issues and empower marginalized communities
• Performance can be used as a tool for social change, raising awareness about identity-based inequalities and advocating for marginalized groups
• Autobiographical performance techniques, such as self-revelation or testimony, can be used for personal growth and healing, allowing individuals to process and share their experiences
• Collaborative performance-making processes, such as devised theater or community-based projects, can foster a sense of shared identity and empowerment among participants
• Performance analysis techniques, such as semiotics or phenomenology, can be used to deconstruct and interpret the meanings and implications of various identity performances
• Educators can use performance-based pedagogies, such as drama in education or process drama, to engage students in exploring and understanding diverse identities and perspectives
• Therapists and counselors can incorporate performance techniques, such as psychodrama or drama therapy, into their practice to help clients explore and work through identity-related issues

Contemporary Issues and Debates

• The rise of social media and digital technologies has created new opportunities and challenges for identity performance, raising questions about authenticity, privacy, and self-representation
• The increasing visibility and acceptance of transgender and non-binary identities have challenged traditional gender norms and sparked debates about the nature of gender identity and expression
• The Black Lives Matter movement and other anti-racism efforts have highlighted the need for more diverse and equitable representation in performance industries and the role of performance in perpetuating or challenging racial stereotypes
• The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many performers to adapt to virtual platforms, raising questions about the nature of live performance and the relationship between performer and audience
• Cultural appropriation in performance remains a contentious issue, with debates around the line between appreciation and appropriation and the power dynamics involved in cross-cultural borrowing
• The #MeToo movement has sparked conversations about sexual harassment and abuse in performance industries and the need for greater accountability and support for survivors
• The growing recognition of intersectionality has led to calls for more nuanced and inclusive representations of identity in performance, acknowledging the multiple and overlapping aspects of individuals' experiences and identities
• The role of performance in shaping and reflecting national and cultural identities continues to be a subject of debate, particularly in the context of globalization and cultural exchange