Performance Studies

Unit 1 – Introduction to Performance Studies

Unit 2 – Theoretical Approaches to Performance

Unit 3 – Performance and Identity

Unit 4 – Embodiment and Corporeality

Unit 5 – Performance Spaces and Contexts

Unit 6 – Ritual, Ceremony, and Performance

Unit 7 – Performance and Power

Unit 8 – Performativity and Language

Unit 9 – Audience Engagement in Performance Studies

Unit 10 – Performance Methods & Practices

Unit 11 – Global Performance Traditions

Unit 12 – Contemporary Performance Forms

Unit 13 – Applied Performance Studies

## What do you learn in Performance Studies

Performance Studies explores how humans express themselves through various forms of performance. You'll analyze everything from theater and dance to everyday social interactions and rituals. The course covers performance theory, cultural anthropology, and critical analysis of live and recorded performances. You'll also learn about the historical and social contexts that shape different performance traditions.

## Is Performance Studies hard?

Performance Studies can be challenging because it combines elements from different disciplines like anthropology, sociology, and theater. The theoretical concepts can get pretty dense, and you'll need to develop strong analytical skills. But if you're into theater or cultural studies, you'll probably find it fascinating. The workload can be heavy with lots of reading and writing, but the discussions are usually engaging.

## Tips for taking Performance Studies in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Watch a variety of performances - not just plays, but also dance, spoken word, and cultural events
3. Keep a performance journal to analyze everyday interactions
4. Practice "reading" performances like you would a text
5. Engage in class discussions - they're crucial for understanding complex concepts
6. Check out Richard Schechner's "Performance Studies: An Introduction" for a solid overview
7. Watch documentaries like "Paris Is Burning" or "The Artist Is Present" to see performance analysis in action

## Common pre-requisites for Performance Studies

1. Introduction to Theater: This course covers the basics of theatrical production, acting, and dramatic literature. You'll learn about different theater styles and how to analyze plays.

2. Cultural Anthropology: This class explores human cultures and societies. You'll study cultural practices, beliefs, and social structures across different communities.

3. Critical Theory: This course introduces you to various theoretical approaches for analyzing literature, art, and culture. You'll learn how to apply these theories to different texts and performances.

## Classes similar to Performance Studies

1. Theater and Society: Examines the role of theater in different cultures and historical periods. You'll explore how theater reflects and influences social issues.

2. Dance Studies: Focuses on the cultural, historical, and theoretical aspects of dance. You'll analyze dance as a form of communication and expression.

3. Media Studies: Investigates how different media forms shape our understanding of the world. You'll learn to critically analyze film, television, and digital media.

4. Ritual Studies: Explores the role of rituals in human societies. You'll examine how rituals function as performances and their significance in different cultures.

5. Ethnomusicology: Studies music in its cultural context. You'll learn about diverse musical traditions and their role in society.

## Majors related to Performance Studies

1. Theater Arts: Focuses on all aspects of theatrical production, including acting, directing, and design. Students develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge of theater.

2. Anthropology: Studies human cultures and societies, both past and present. Students learn about cultural practices, social structures, and human behavior across different communities.

3. Cultural Studies: Examines how culture shapes and is shaped by various social, political, and economic forces. Students analyze cultural products, practices, and institutions.

4. Communication Studies: Investigates how people create and share meaning through various forms of communication. Students study interpersonal, group, and mass communication.

5. Sociology: Explores social behavior, institutions, and interactions. Students learn to analyze social structures and processes that shape human experiences.

## What can you do with a degree in Performance Studies?

1. Theater Director: Oversees the creative aspects of theatrical productions. They interpret scripts, guide actors, and collaborate with designers to bring performances to life.

2. Cultural Critic: Analyzes and writes about various forms of cultural expression. They may review performances, write essays on cultural trends, or contribute to academic publications.

3. Arts Administrator: Manages the business side of arts organizations. They handle budgets, fundraising, marketing, and program development for theaters, museums, or cultural centers.

4. Performance Artist: Creates and performs original works that often blur the lines between different art forms. They might combine elements of theater, dance, visual art, and multimedia in their performances.

5. Museum Curator: Organizes and manages collections of artifacts or artworks. They research, design exhibitions, and develop educational programs related to performance and cultural history.

## Performance Studies FAQs

1. Do I need to be a good actor to take Performance Studies? Not at all - it's more about analyzing performance than performing yourself. You'll be doing more watching and writing than acting.

2. How is Performance Studies different from Theater Studies? Performance Studies looks at a broader range of performances, including everyday interactions and cultural rituals. It's more theoretical and interdisciplinary than traditional Theater Studies.

3. Can I study abroad as a Performance Studies major? Absolutely! Many programs offer study abroad opportunities to experience different performance traditions firsthand. It's a great way to broaden your understanding of global performance practices.

4. What kind of research projects can I do in Performance Studies? You could analyze anything from political speeches to street performances. The field is super flexible, so you can often pursue research topics that align with your personal interests.

Performing Arts

1.1 Defining performance and performance studies

1.2 Historical development of performance studies

1.3 Key concepts and terminology in performance studies

1.4 Interdisciplinary nature of performance studies

2.1 Semiotics and performance

2.3 Poststructuralism and performance

2.2 Phenomenology and performance

2.4 Feminist and queer theories in performance

2.5 Postcolonial and decolonial approaches to performance

3.1 Performing gender and sexuality

3.2 Race, ethnicity, and performance

3.4 Intersectionality and performance

3.3 Class, status, and performance

4.1 The body as a site of performance

4.3 Voice, speech, and vocality in performance

4.4 Affect, emotion, and performance

4.2 Movement, gesture, and kinesthetics

5.1 Traditional performance venues (theaters, concert halls, etc.)

5.3 Digital and virtual performance spaces

5.2 Site-specific and environmental performance

5.4 Performance in everyday life and social interactions

6.2 Rites of passage and liminality

6.4 Performance and community building

6.1 Religious and spiritual performances

6.3 Festivals, carnivals, and public celebrations

7.1 Performance and politics

7.3 Censorship, subversion, and transgression in performance

7.2 Protest, resistance, and activist performance

7.4 Performance and propaganda

8.2 Performative writing and documentation

8.3 Performance and storytelling

8.1 Speech acts and performative utterances

8.4 Performance poetry and spoken word

9.1 Spectatorship and the role of the audience

9.2 Participatory and interactive performance

9.3 Performance and social engagement

9.4 Ethics and responsibilities in performance

10.1 Ethnography and performance

10.2 Autoethnography and personal narrative in performance

10.3 Devising and collaborative performance creation

10.4 Adaptation, appropriation, and intertextuality in performance

11.1 Asian performance traditions

11.2 African and African diaspora performance traditions

11.3 Indigenous performance practices

11.4 Latin American performance traditions

11.5 European performance traditions

12.1 Postdramatic and postmodern performance

12.2 Intermedial and multimedia performance

12.3 Performance art and live art

12.4 Immersive and experiential performance

12.5 Performance and new technologies

13.1 Performance in education and pedagogy

13.2 Performance and therapy

13.3 Performance in business and organizational settings

13.4 Performance and social change

Browse all Performance Studies Key Terms

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