What is performance studies?
What is Performance Studies?
Please watch the two videos by Richard Schechner, who introduces and defines Performance Studies.
Performance Studies: An Introduction – Is/As Performance (2:59) [1]
Performance Studies: An Introduction – Broad Spectrum of Performance (5:21) [2]
To help you prepare for the forum discussion, think about the following questions based on your knowledge of watching and absorbing the information provided in these videos, and answer the questions:
What is Performance Studies? How does applying the knowledge of Performance Studies help you think about performance in daily life? Think of an example of what “is” performance and then what actions are “as” performance.
[1] “Performance Studies: An Introduction – Is/As Performance”. YouTube video, 2:59. Posted by RoutledgeTextbooks on December 17, 2012. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SB6zTUfEODc
[2] “Performance Studies: An Introduction – Broad Spectrum of Performance”. YouTube video, 5:21. Posted by RoutledgeTextbooks on December 17, 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO-ebw_vJ3c Read selections in Richard Schechner & Sara Brady’s Performance Studies.
Chapter 2: What is Performance? (p. 28 & 29) [3]
Chapter 7: Performance Processes, the section on:
- Training (p. 228-233), including the text box on Robert Farris Thompson (p. 232), [4]
- Public performance, and Larger events and contexts (p. 240-245). [5]
[3] Text: Schechner, Richard, and Sara Brady. 2012. Performance studies: an introduction. London: Routledge. http://site.ebrary.com.library.esc.edu/lib/empire/docDetail.action?docID=10660662 p. 28 & 29
[4] Ibid, 228-233
[5] Ibid, 240-245
Discussion: What is Performance Studies? Please use sources provided above.
The discussion for weeks five and six are based on your readings on Performance Studies and your viewing of Caribbean carnival street performance. Your answer should be between 2 to 4 paragraphs. You must use examples from Richard Schechner & Sara Brady’s Performance Studies text and information from the video Performance Studies: An Introduction – Is/As Performance. In addition you may choose to include (and cite) information from a website source, or video. You should think about if what you are viewing can be considered as actions and behavior, as the object of study, and explore the following questions. Remember to appropriately cite your sources. In addition to your post, please respond to at least one classmate’s post.
Provide a definition of Performance Studies by answering the questions: What is performance studies? How does applying the knowledge of performance studies help you think about performance in daily life? What constitutes the act of performing? Give an example of “is” performance and “as” performance.
Based on your viewing of Caribbean carnival street performance answer the following questions: Who performs at street carnivals? Is it just the performers who are performing, or do spectators perform as well? What are participants doing as they are observing? How are the performances influenced by social practices?
