8.2 Performative writing and documentation
8 min read•august 13, 2024
and documentation play a crucial role in capturing and shaping live performances. They bridge the gap between events and lasting records, allowing performances to be studied, shared, and remembered long after they've ended.
However, this process isn't without controversy. Some argue that documenting performances undermines their essential liveness and uniqueness. The debate highlights the complex relationship between live art and its written representations, raising questions about authenticity and preservation in performance studies.
Writing for Performance Documentation
The Role of Writing in Documenting and Constructing Performance
Top images from around the web for The Role of Writing in Documenting and Constructing Performance
Rhetorical Situation – Communication for Business Professionals View original
Is this image relevant?
1.3 Understanding the Rhetorical Situation – Technical Writing Essentials View original
Is this image relevant?
The Rhetorical Situation – Essentials for ENGL-121 View original
Is this image relevant?
Rhetorical Situation – Communication for Business Professionals View original
Is this image relevant?
1.3 Understanding the Rhetorical Situation – Technical Writing Essentials View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for The Role of Writing in Documenting and Constructing Performance
Rhetorical Situation – Communication for Business Professionals View original
Is this image relevant?
1.3 Understanding the Rhetorical Situation – Technical Writing Essentials View original
Is this image relevant?
The Rhetorical Situation – Essentials for ENGL-121 View original
Is this image relevant?
Rhetorical Situation – Communication for Business Professionals View original
Is this image relevant?
1.3 Understanding the Rhetorical Situation – Technical Writing Essentials View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Writing serves as a means to document, preserve, and disseminate performance works, enabling them to transcend the ephemerality of the live event (theater scripts, dance notations)
- Performative writing can actively construct and shape the understanding of a performance, influencing how it is perceived and interpreted by audiences
- The choices made in writing, such as language, structure, and emphasis, can frame and guide the audience's experience of the performance
- Performative writing can highlight certain aspects of the performance while downplaying others, shaping its meaning and significance
- The act of writing about performance involves subjective choices and interpretations, blurring the lines between objective documentation and creative construction
- The writer's perspective, biases, and artistic sensibilities inevitably influence the documentation process
- Writing about performance can be seen as a form of translation or adaptation, as the writer interprets and represents the live event through their own lens
- Different forms of writing, such as scripts, scores, and critical reviews, serve distinct functions in documenting and constructing performance
- Scripts provide a blueprint for the performance, outlining the text, actions, and staging
- Scores offer a more open-ended framework, allowing for interpretation and improvisation
- Critical reviews analyze and evaluate the performance, shaping public perception and discourse
The Relationship Between Performance and Written Documentation
- The relationship between performance and its written documentation is complex, as writing can both capture and alter the essence of the live event
- Writing can preserve key elements of the performance, such as text, structure, and imagery, allowing for future restaging or analysis
- However, writing can also transform the performance, as it fixes and frames the live event in a particular way, potentially limiting its openness and fluidity
- The act of documentation can be seen as a form of mediation that inevitably shapes and filters the performance, raising questions about the authenticity of the documented version
- The writer's subjectivity and the limitations of language can create a gap between the live performance and its written representation
- The documented version may be seen as a separate artifact, distinct from the original performance, with its own qualities and meanings
- The ephemerality of performance is often valued as a key aspect of its ontology and aesthetics, and documentation may be seen as a threat to this essential quality
- The transient nature of performance is seen as central to its power and immediacy, as each moment is unique and unrepeatable
- Documentation can be seen as a form of fixation or commodification, reducing the performance to a static object that can be consumed and circulated
Text, Performance, and Audience
The Interplay Between Text and Performance
- Text, whether in the form of scripts, scores, or other written materials, can serve as a blueprint or guide for performance, influencing its structure and content
- The text provides a framework for the performance, outlining the narrative, characters, and actions
- However, the text is not the performance itself, but rather a starting point for interpretation and embodiment by the performers
- The interpretation and embodiment of text through performance can transform and recontextualize its meaning, creating new layers of significance
- Performers bring their own experiences, physicality, and creative choices to the text, shaping its meaning and impact
- The staging, design, and directorial choices can also reframe the text, highlighting certain themes or perspectives
- The role of text in performance varies across different genres and traditions, from text-based theater to more improvisational or non-verbal forms
- In text-based theater, the script is often the primary source material, and the performance aims to bring the text to life
- In devised or physical theater, the text may emerge through the creative process, or be absent altogether, with the focus on movement, image, and sensation
Audience Reception and Interpretation
- Audience reception of a performance is shaped by their engagement with and interpretation of the accompanying text, such as program notes, synopses, or critical reviews
- These texts can provide context, background information, and interpretive frameworks that guide the audience's understanding of the performance
- However, audiences also bring their own experiences, knowledge, and expectations to the performance, which can shape their reception and interpretation
- The interplay between text and performance can create tensions, contradictions, or harmonies that impact audience understanding and experience
- The text and performance may reinforce each other, creating a coherent and unified experience for the audience
- Alternatively, the text and performance may diverge or conflict, creating a sense of dissonance or ambiguity that invites multiple interpretations
- Audience reception is a dynamic and interactive process, as audiences actively construct meaning and engage with the performance in real-time
- Audiences may respond emotionally, intellectually, or physically to the performance, and their reactions can shape the energy and atmosphere of the live event
- Post-performance discussions, reviews, and social media interactions can further extend and shape the audience's experience and understanding of the performance
Performative Writing Techniques
Strategies and Approaches in Performative Writing
- Performative writing employs strategies such as embodied language, sensory details, and reflexive narration to evoke the lived experience of performance
- Embodied language focuses on the physical and sensory aspects of performance, using vivid and visceral descriptions to convey the immediacy and intensity of the live event
- Sensory details engage the reader's senses, creating a rich and immersive experience that mirrors the multisensory nature of performance
- Reflexive narration acknowledges the writer's presence and perspective, highlighting the subjective and interpretive nature of the writing process
- In academic and critical contexts, performative writing can challenge traditional modes of scholarship and offer alternative ways of engaging with and representing performance
- Performative writing can blur the boundaries between theory and practice, incorporating creative and experimental elements into scholarly discourse
- It can also foreground the embodied and affective dimensions of performance, which may be overlooked in more conventional academic writing
- Performative writing techniques are used in genres such as , , and to blur the boundaries between research, personal experience, and artistic expression
- Performance ethnography uses performative writing to represent and analyze cultural practices and embodied knowledge (ritual, festival)
- Autoethnography incorporates personal narratives and reflections into the study of social and cultural phenomena, highlighting the researcher's own experiences and positionality
- Creative nonfiction employs literary techniques to explore and represent real-life events and experiences, often focusing on the writer's own journey of discovery and transformation
Contexts and Applications of Performative Writing
- In artistic contexts, performative writing can be used to generate or respond to performance works, serving as a form of creative practice in itself
- Playwrights, choreographers, and performance artists may use performative writing as a tool for developing and refining their work, exploring ideas and images through language
- Performative writing can also be used as a form of documentation or reflection, capturing the essence and impact of a performance after the fact
- The use of performative writing varies across cultural and disciplinary contexts, reflecting different conventions, values, and approaches to the relationship between writing and performance
- In some traditions, such as Japanese Noh theater, the written text is highly codified and central to the performance, while in others, such as improvisational jazz, the emphasis is on spontaneity and real-time creation
- Different academic disciplines, such as theater studies, dance studies, and performance studies, may have their own conventions and expectations for performative writing, shaped by their particular methodologies and theoretical frameworks
Documentation vs Ephemerality
The Ontology and Value of Ephemerality
- The ephemerality of performance is often valued as a key aspect of its ontology and aesthetics, and documentation may be seen as a threat to this essential quality
- The transient nature of performance is seen as central to its power and immediacy, as each moment is unique and unrepeatable
- The liveness and presence of performance are often contrasted with the fixed and mediated nature of documentation, which can be seen as a pale imitation or distortion of the original event
- Ephemerality is also linked to the political and ethical dimensions of performance, as it resists commodification and allows for subversive or marginal voices to be heard
- The fleeting nature of performance can create a space for experimentation, risk-taking, and critique, as it operates outside the structures of permanence and reproduction
- Ephemerality can also be seen as a form of resistance to the dominant culture of documentation and surveillance, asserting the value of the live and the local over the recorded and the global
Debates and Explorations in Performance Documentation
- The relationship between performance and documentation is a site of ongoing debate and exploration in performance studies, with scholars and practitioners interrogating the ethics, politics, and aesthetics of preserving and representing live events
- Some argue that documentation is a necessary and valuable tool for extending the reach and impact of performance, allowing it to be studied, shared, and re-enacted across time and space
- Others see documentation as a betrayal of the essence of performance, reducing it to a static and commodified object that loses its vitality and specificity
- Different approaches to documentation, such as descriptive writing, critical analysis, or creative interpretation, can have varying impacts on the perceived authenticity of the performance
- Descriptive writing aims to capture the details and facts of the performance, providing a more objective and neutral account
- Critical analysis offers an interpretive and evaluative perspective, situating the performance within broader cultural and theoretical contexts
- Creative interpretation uses the performance as a springboard for artistic expression, generating new works that respond to or transform the original event
- The ethics of documentation are also a key concern, as the act of recording and representing performance can raise issues of consent, ownership, and cultural appropriation
- Performers and audiences may have different expectations and desires around documentation, and the process of documentation can alter the dynamics and experience of the live event
- Documentation can also be used to exploit or misrepresent marginalized communities, reinforcing power imbalances and cultural stereotypes
Key Terms to Review (21)
Archival documentation: Archival documentation refers to the systematic collection, organization, and preservation of materials that capture the history and context of performances, practices, and artistic expressions. This type of documentation serves as a critical resource for researchers, practitioners, and audiences to understand the nuances of performative writing and the impact of cultural practices over time.
Audience Agency: Audience agency refers to the ability of spectators to actively participate in, interpret, and influence the performance experience rather than being passive observers. This concept highlights the dynamic relationship between performers and their audience, emphasizing that viewers can shape the narrative, meaning, and impact of a performance through their reactions and engagement.
Autoethnography: Autoethnography is a research method that combines autobiography and ethnography, allowing researchers to examine their personal experiences within cultural contexts. This approach emphasizes storytelling and personal narratives, revealing how individual lives intersect with broader social, cultural, and political dynamics. It serves as a tool for self-reflection and critique, making personal experiences relatable to larger cultural phenomena.
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.
Collaborative writing: Collaborative writing is a process where multiple individuals come together to create a document or text, sharing ideas, responsibilities, and authorship. This method encourages diverse perspectives and skills, resulting in richer content that reflects a collective vision. In performance contexts, collaborative writing can enhance the creative process by integrating various voices and experiences, leading to more dynamic and inclusive narratives.
Creative nonfiction: Creative nonfiction is a genre that blends factual reporting with narrative techniques and stylistic elements typically found in fiction. It aims to tell true stories in engaging and imaginative ways, often emphasizing personal experiences and reflections. This genre can include essays, memoirs, and journalistic pieces that prioritize storytelling while remaining grounded in reality.
Ephemeral: Ephemeral refers to something that is short-lived or transient, existing for only a brief period of time. In the context of performative writing and documentation, it highlights the nature of performances and artistic expressions that may not be captured permanently but instead emphasize the experience of the moment, encouraging immediate engagement and interaction.
Experimental theatre: Experimental theatre is a form of performance that challenges traditional norms and conventions of theatrical presentation, often incorporating innovative techniques, styles, and methods to engage the audience in new ways. This type of theatre often blurs the boundaries between performance and reality, inviting viewers to actively participate in the experience. It emphasizes artistic exploration and encourages the questioning of what theatre can be, allowing for a diverse range of expression and documentation.
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.
Participatory observation: Participatory observation is a research method where the observer actively engages in the activities being studied while also observing and documenting those activities. This technique allows the observer to gain a deeper understanding of the context and the participants' experiences, making it particularly valuable in performative writing and documentation. By immersing themselves in the environment, researchers can capture nuances and insights that might be missed through more detached observational methods.
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 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 score: A performance score is a structured outline or notation that captures the elements, sequences, and intentions of a performance piece, serving as a guide for both creators and performers. It encompasses the specific actions, timings, and contexts that constitute a performance, allowing for a shared understanding among collaborators and aiding in the documentation process. This concept is essential for the creation of innovative performances and the exploration of performative writing.
Performative writing: Performative writing is a style of writing that emphasizes the act of writing as a form of performance, where the text not only conveys meaning but also embodies the experience and presence of the writer. This approach focuses on how language, form, and content intersect to create an immersive experience for the reader, blurring the lines between the act of writing and the act of performing. It often highlights subjective experiences and the dynamics of interaction, making it a powerful tool in expressing lived realities and exploring personal narratives.
Phenomenology: Phenomenology is a philosophical approach that focuses on the subjective experience of individuals and how they perceive and interpret their reality. It emphasizes understanding the essence of experiences from the first-person perspective, which is crucial in performance studies for exploring how performers and audiences engage with performance moments. This approach reveals insights into the embodied nature of experience, making it relevant for analyzing the body in performance, writing about performances, and creating immersive experiences.
Post-structuralism: Post-structuralism is a theoretical framework that emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction against structuralism, emphasizing the fluidity of meaning and the instability of language. It challenges the idea that texts and performances have fixed meanings, instead suggesting that meaning is constructed through context, interpretation, and the interplay of various social and cultural factors. This perspective has a significant influence on performative writing and documentation, where the act of writing is seen as a performance that shapes meaning rather than merely representing it.
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.
Scripted performance: Scripted performance refers to a pre-determined and structured presentation of art, usually involving actors following a written script that outlines dialogue, actions, and stage directions. This form of performance is distinct in its reliance on textual material, emphasizing the importance of language and narrative in conveying meaning to the audience. The interaction between scripted content and the performer's interpretation can lead to various layers of meaning and expression, often bridging gaps between written text and live execution.
Site-specific: Site-specific refers to artistic works created for a particular location, where the environment plays an essential role in shaping the artwork's meaning and experience. This approach emphasizes the relationship between the work and its surroundings, often engaging with the history, culture, and social context of the site, which can enhance the audience's connection to the piece.
Spectatorship: Spectatorship refers to the relationship between the audience and the performance, encompassing how viewers interpret, engage with, and respond to the art being presented. This concept highlights the active role of spectators in creating meaning through their perceptions, backgrounds, and social contexts, while also considering the power dynamics at play in the viewing experience.
Textuality: Textuality refers to the quality or condition of being a text, which includes the ways in which texts create meaning through their structure, language, and context. It emphasizes the relationship between the text and its audience, highlighting how interpretation can vary based on performance and presentation. This concept is crucial in understanding how written words, spoken performances, and documentation interact to produce meaning and experience.