Studies in Theatre and Performance
Scope & Guideline
Transforming Understanding Through Theatrical Inquiry
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Interdisciplinary Approaches:
The journal promotes interdisciplinary research that intersects theatre studies with fields such as sociology, politics, cultural studies, and gender studies, highlighting how performance can inform and be informed by these areas. - Social Justice and Activism:
A consistent focus is on the role of performance in social justice movements, examining how theatre can serve as a platform for activism and collective resistance against oppression. - Cultural Representation and Identity:
The journal explores themes of identity, representation, and the politics of cultural narratives within theatre, analyzing how performance reflects and shapes societal understandings of race, gender, and nationality. - Innovative Performance Practices:
Research on new and experimental performance practices, including participatory and immersive theatre, showcases innovation in the field and its implications for audience engagement and experience. - Historical Contextualization:
The journal frequently contextualizes contemporary performance within historical frameworks, discussing the evolution of theatrical forms and their socio-political implications over time.
Trending and Emerging
- Participatory and Community-Based Performance:
There is a growing interest in participatory performance practices that emphasize community involvement and collective action, highlighting the agency of audiences and participants in shaping performance. - Decolonization and Global Perspectives:
The journal is increasingly focusing on decolonization within theatre studies, exploring how performance can challenge colonial narratives and amplify voices from historically marginalized communities. - Intersectionality in Performance:
Emerging themes related to intersectionality are prominent, examining how various identities (race, gender, sexuality) intersect in performance and influence artistic expression and audience reception. - Digital and Virtual Performance:
The rise of digital technologies and virtual performance has become a significant area of exploration, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, as scholars investigate new forms of engagement and representation. - Socially Engaged Art and Activism:
The trend towards socially engaged art practices that address urgent political and social issues, such as climate change, migration, and human rights, is increasingly reflected in the journal's publications, showcasing theatre as a tool for activism.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Theatre Criticism:
There has been a noticeable decrease in traditional forms of theatre criticism that focus solely on textual analysis or performance reviews, as the journal increasingly prioritizes interdisciplinary and socio-political themes. - Eurocentric Perspectives:
Research centered on Eurocentric narratives and methodologies is becoming less prominent, with a growing emphasis on global perspectives and voices from marginalized communities, reflecting a broader shift towards decolonization in the arts. - Individual Artist Studies:
While individual artist studies remain relevant, there is a waning trend in papers dedicated solely to isolated case studies of artists, as the journal shifts towards collective movements and the broader socio-political context of performance. - Mainstream Theatre Productions:
Focus on mainstream or commercial theatre productions appears to be diminishing, with more attention being directed towards experimental, community-based, and activist forms of performance. - Historical Canonical Works:
There is a decline in the analysis of canonical works of theatre in favor of contemporary and emerging forms that address current socio-political issues, indicating a shift towards relevance in present-day contexts.
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