Writing Performance

Writing Performance

Ronald J. Pelias is concerned with writing about performance, from the everyday performative routines to the texts on stage. He seeks to write performatively, to offer poetic or aesthetic renderings of performance events in order to capture some sense of their nature. In his quest for the spirit of theatrical performances in a collection of essays, Pelias, of course, asks more of the written word than the word can deliver. Yet the attempt is both desirable -- and necessary. To discuss performance without some accounting for its essence as art, he asserts, is at best misleading, at worst, fraud. Pelias divides his efforts to present performance events into three general categories: "Performing Every Day", "On Writing and Performing", and "Being a Witness". As the title implies, "Performing Every Day" focuses on performances ranging from the daily business of enacting roles to the telling of tales that make life meaningful. It incorporates essays about the ongoing process of presenting oneself in everyday life; the gender script that insists that men enact manly performances; the classroom performances of teachers and students; stories of gender, class, and race that mark identity; and a performance installation entitled "A Day's Talk", which is a record of talk produced in a day's time accompanied by reflections about and responses to that talk. "On Writing and Performing" examines the written script and performance practices. It contains a description of a struggle between a writer and a performer as they protect their own interests; an intimate look at an apprehensive performer; a short play entitled "The Audition", which deals with what it means to be an actor; a chronicle ofperformance process from the perspective of an actor; and a brief essay on the nature of performance. "Being a Witness" examines performance from the perspective of the audience and the director. It includes essays on the experience of being an audience member; viewing theatre in the context of New York City; directing and being directed by actors' bodies; watching The DEF Comedy Jam; and, in the form of an interview, some final reflections about working with performance for many years.

Writing Performance Documentation

A Straightforward Guide to Writing Performance Poetry

The perfect book for those who wish to develop their poetry and performance skills. The reader is given a firm grounding in the art of performance poetry and the book contains all the basic information needed to develop both writing and performance skills. The material is wide-ranging and adopts a contemporary and novel approach to the art and craft of writing and presenting poetry.