PERFORMANCE RESEARCH
Scope & Guideline
Innovating the landscape of performance studies since 1996.
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Interdisciplinary Performance Studies:
The journal merges various fields, including theatre, dance, visual arts, and social sciences, to explore the multifaceted nature of performance. - Cultural and Political Critique:
It emphasizes performance as a site for political engagement and social critique, examining how performances can reflect, resist, or reimagine societal norms. - Embodiment and Materiality:
A recurring focus on the bodily and material aspects of performance, investigating how physical presence and material conditions shape the experience and interpretation of performance. - Technological Integration:
The journal explores the impact of technology on performance, including digital media, virtual reality, and immersive experiences, examining how these elements transform traditional performance practices. - Ethics and Care in Performance:
There is a growing emphasis on ethical considerations in performance, particularly regarding care, inclusivity, and the representation of marginalized voices. - Historical and Contextual Analysis:
Performance Research delves into historical perspectives and context-specific analyses, providing insights into how performance practices evolve and resonate across different cultures and time periods.
Trending and Emerging
- Digital Performance and Virtual Spaces:
There is a significant increase in research focused on digital performance, exploring how virtual environments and online platforms have transformed traditional notions of performance. - Intersectionality and Identity Politics:
Emerging themes related to intersectionality, including race, gender, sexuality, and class, are increasingly prevalent, highlighting the importance of diverse voices in performance studies. - Environmental and Ecological Performance:
The journal is witnessing a rise in papers that address ecological concerns and environmental activism through performance, reflecting a broader societal engagement with climate change. - Health and Wellbeing in Performance:
The exploration of health, wellness, and the therapeutic aspects of performance is gaining prominence, particularly in the context of post-pandemic recovery and mental health awareness. - Community-Based Performance Practices:
There is a growing interest in community-engaged performance, emphasizing collaborative practices and the role of performance in fostering social connection and activism.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Theatre Criticism:
There appears to be a decline in papers focused solely on traditional theatre criticism, with fewer studies analyzing established plays or conventional performance forms. - Static Performance Forms:
The exploration of static or non-interactive performance formats has waned, as the journal increasingly prioritizes dynamic and participatory approaches. - Historical Reenactments:
While historical performances have been a topic of interest, there is a noticeable decrease in papers dedicated to traditional reenactments, as contemporary issues take precedence. - Eurocentric Perspectives:
The journal is moving away from predominantly Eurocentric viewpoints, with fewer articles focusing on Western performance traditions, reflecting a broader, more global perspective. - Theoretical Overemphasis:
There is a noticeable decline in the number of papers that heavily focus on theoretical frameworks without practical application, as the journal shifts towards more applied and experiential research.
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