CMST 1061 Chapter : Introduction To Perfomance Studies
Document Summary
What is performance: when performing a task, a behavior, a rock concert, a tiger football game, entertainment, attention to make yourself and others feel good, performing in front of an audience. Ps"s decisive initiative, however, is ito disentangle the terms play", act", Acting", and performance" from an exclusive association with the performing arts: what is play ? (action football game, what is acting ? (pretending, a behavior (changing the dish washer) Playing is engaging in activity for enjoyment or recreation rather than practical purpose. Hence, social reality is constructed by performing social roles: actions, behaviors, events. Any of these can be studied as a performance. Richard schechner has outlined seven functions of performance: to entertain, to make something that is beautiful, to mark or change identity, to mark or foster community, to teach, persuade, or convince, to deal with the sacred or demonic.
