The Performance Studies Reader

The Performance Studies Reader

The Performance Studies Reader is a lively and much-needed anthology of critical writings on the burgeoning discipline of performance studies. It provides an overview of the full range of performance theory for undergraduates at all levels, and beginning graduate students in performance studies, theatre, performing arts and cultural studies. The collection is designed as a companion to Richard Schechner's popular Performance Studies: an Introduction (Routledge, 2002), but is also ideal as a stand-alone text. Henry Bial collects together key critical pieces from the field, referred to as 'suggested readings' in Performance Studies: an Introduction. He also broadens the discussion with additional selections. The structure and themes of the Reader closely follow those of Schechner's companion textbook. The articles in each section focus particularly on three primary areas in performance studies, theatre, anthropology and sociology/cultural studies.

The Performance Studies Reader

The Performance Studies Reader

The first edition of The Performance Studies Reader established itself as the leading anthology of key writings on the continually evolving field of performance studies. Bringing together contributions from a host of renowned artists and scholars, the Reader provided a lively and diverse collection of ideas suitable for undergraduates and beginning graduate students in performance studies, theater, cultural studies and related disciplines. This updated and significantly enlarged Second Edition offers eight new chapters - for a total of 42 - on such important topics as devising theater, public memorial observances, and neurocognitive approaches to performance, as well as expanded introductory essays and internal cross-references. Widely used by students and scholars around the world as a stand-alone text, The Performance Studies Reader, Second Edition is also synchronized to the second edition of Richard Schechner's Performance Studies: An Introduction. Used together, the two volumes continue to provide a complete and integrated package for teaching and learning performance studies. Book jacket.