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The Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology: A Comprehensive Guide to the Theory and Practice of Performance Studies

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A Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology: The Secret Art of the Performer

by Eugenio Barba

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	41772 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages

The Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology is a comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of performance studies, providing detailed explanations of key concepts, terms, and methodologies. Authored by leading scholars in the field, this dictionary offers a critical and interdisciplinary approach to the study of performance, encompassing theatre, dance, music, ritual, and other forms of embodied practice. With over 500 entries, the dictionary covers a wide range of topics, including:

The history and development of theatre anthropology as a field of study
Key theoretical concepts and methodologies used in the study of performance
Detailed descriptions of performance practices from different cultures and traditions
Biographies of influential figures in the field of theatre anthropology
A glossary of technical terms and concepts

The Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology is an essential resource for students, scholars, and practitioners of performance studies. It provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the field, and its interdisciplinary approach makes it a valuable resource for scholars from a variety of disciplines, including theatre, dance, music, anthropology, and cultural studies.

History and Development of Theatre Anthropology

Theatre anthropology is a relatively new field of study, emerging in the late 20th century. It is a hybrid discipline that draws on the methods and theories of both theatre and anthropology. Theatre anthropologists study the performance practices of different cultures, and they use their knowledge to inform their own theatrical practice. Theatre anthropology has been used to understand the role of performance in ritual, healing, and social change.

Key Theoretical Concepts and Methodologies

Theatre anthropology is based on a number of key theoretical concepts and methodologies. These include:

The concept of performance as a form of communication
The importance of context in understanding performance
The use of ethnographic methods to study performance
The value of interdisciplinary approaches to the study of performance

Theatre anthropologists use a variety of methods to study performance, including observation, participant observation, and interviews. They also use archival research to document the history of performance practices. Theatre anthropology is a dynamic and growing field of study that is contributing to our understanding of the role of performance in human culture.

Detailed Descriptions of Performance Practices from Different Cultures and Traditions

The Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology includes detailed descriptions of performance practices from a wide range of cultures and traditions. These descriptions provide a rich resource for scholars and practitioners who are interested in learning about the diversity of performance practices around the world. The entries in the dictionary cover a wide range of topics, including:

Traditional theatre forms, such as Greek tragedy, Chinese opera, and Japanese kabuki
Contemporary performance practices, such as performance art, street theatre, and devised theatre
Ritual practices, such as shamanism, healing ceremonies, and religious rituals
The use of performance in social change, such as political theatre, community theatre, and educational theatre

The descriptions in the dictionary are written by scholars who are experts in the specific performance practices that they are describing. The descriptions are detailed and informative, and they provide a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning about the diversity of performance practices around the world.

Biographies of Influential Figures in the Field of Theatre Anthropology

The Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology includes biographies of influential figures in the field. These biographies provide a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners who are interested in learning about the history of theatre anthropology. The biographies cover a wide range of figures, including:

Victor Turner, one of the founders of theatre anthropology
Richard Schechner, a leading figure in the development of performance studies
Eugenio Barba, a founder of the Odin Teatret
Anne Bogart, a leading figure in the development of the SITI Company

The biographies are written by scholars who are experts on the work of the specific figures that they are describing. The biographies are detailed and informative, and they provide a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning about the history of theatre anthropology.

A Glossary of Technical Terms and Concepts

The Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology includes a glossary of technical terms and concepts. This glossary provides a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners who are interested in learning the specific terminology of theatre anthropology. The glossary covers a wide range of terms, including:

Performance
Ritual
Embodied practice
Cultural context
Ethnography

The glossary is written by scholars who are experts in the field of theatre anthropology. The definitions are clear and concise, and they provide a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning the specific terminology of theatre anthropology.

The Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology is a comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of performance studies. It provides a detailed overview of the field, and its interdisciplinary approach makes it a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners from a variety of disciplines. The dictionary is an essential resource for anyone who is interested in learning about the role of performance in human culture.

A Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology: The Secret Art of the Performer

by Eugenio Barba

4.8 out of 5