Performance as social practice

Definition

Performance as social practice refers to the understanding of performance not just as a scripted event on a stage but as an integral part of everyday social interactions and rituals. It emphasizes how performance shapes and is shaped by cultural contexts, community values, and social structures, highlighting the relational dynamics between performers and audiences. This concept illustrates how performances can serve as a means of communication, identity expression, and cultural preservation in various social settings.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Performance as social practice highlights the interaction between performers and their audiences, illustrating how performances can be both participatory and observational.
2. This concept underscores that performances occur in various contexts, including festivals, community gatherings, and everyday life, shaping the way individuals relate to each other.
3. The notion connects to how cultural values are communicated through performance, reinforcing or challenging societal norms and beliefs.
4. Understanding performance as social practice allows for an analysis of how power dynamics play out in different social situations, revealing underlying tensions and collaborations.
5. This framework can be applied to secular rituals, showing how they serve to build community bonds while also allowing for individual expressions of identity.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of performance as social practice enhance our understanding of community engagement during events?
  • The concept of performance as social practice enhances our understanding of community engagement by emphasizing the active role that both performers and audiences play in shaping the experience. Events like festivals or community gatherings become spaces where collective identities are expressed and negotiated. Through participation, individuals contribute to the creation of meaning within their community, reinforcing bonds while also providing opportunities for personal expression.
• In what ways can performance as social practice provide insights into the function of secular rituals in contemporary society?
  • Performance as social practice offers insights into secular rituals by illustrating how these rituals function as means of fostering communal identity and social cohesion. Secular rituals, such as graduations or national holidays, often involve structured performances that bring people together to celebrate shared values. By analyzing these performances, we can understand how they reflect societal norms and expectations while simultaneously allowing for individual interpretation and expression.
• Evaluate the implications of viewing performance as social practice on the future development of theatrical arts in relation to community involvement.
  • Viewing performance as social practice has significant implications for the future development of theatrical arts by encouraging greater community involvement and inclusivity. This perspective invites artists to engage with local communities, considering their unique narratives and cultural expressions. As a result, theatrical productions may evolve to incorporate diverse voices, fostering dialogue about social issues while enriching the artistic landscape. Ultimately, this shift could lead to more relevant and impactful performances that resonate with audiences on deeper levels.

Related terms

Cultural Performance: Activities that are performed within a cultural context to express communal identity, traditions, and social values.

Ritual: A set sequence of actions or behaviors that hold symbolic meaning and are often performed in a ceremonial context.

Collective Memory: The shared pool of knowledge and information in the memories of two or more members of a group, influencing their identity and culture.