12.1 Postdramatic and postmodern performance

Postdramatic and postmodern performance shook up theater in the late 20th century. These styles tossed out traditional storytelling, mixed up different art forms, and got audiences involved in new ways.

They challenged old ideas about what theater should be and how it should work. This opened doors for more experimental, diverse, and interactive performances that tackle big social issues and blur the lines between art and real life.

Postdramatic and Postmodern Performance Characteristics

Rejection of Traditional Dramatic Forms

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• Postdramatic and postmodern performance emerged in the late 20th century as a reaction against traditional dramatic forms and structures
• Key characteristics of postdramatic performance include a rejection of linear narrative, fragmentation of text and action, and a focus on the performative aspects of theater
• Postdramatic works often prioritize the sensory and experiential elements of performance over plot and character development (immersive theater experiences, site-specific performances)
• The role of the performer is often emphasized, with actors breaking the fourth wall and directly engaging with the audience (audience participation, direct address)

Skepticism Towards Grand Narratives

• Postmodern performance is characterized by a skepticism towards grand narratives and a questioning of the nature of reality and representation
• Postmodern works often incorporate elements of pastiche, irony, and self-reflexivity, blurring the boundaries between art and life (metatheatrical devices, self-referential humor)
• Intertextuality and the appropriation of cultural references are common strategies in postmodern performance (sampling, remixing, and recontextualizing existing texts and images)
• Both postdramatic and postmodern performance challenge the idea of a unified, coherent subject and instead present identity as fragmented and fluid (non-linear character development, multiple casting of roles)

Challenging Theatrical Conventions

Reconfiguring the Performer-Audience Relationship

• Postdramatic and postmodern performances often reject the Aristotelian unities of time, place, and action, instead presenting a non-linear or disjointed narrative structure (fragmented storylines, time jumps)
• The relationship between the performer and the audience is often reconfigured, with the audience becoming an active participant in the creation of meaning
• Immersive and interactive performance practices, such as site-specific theater and participatory art, are common in postdramatic and postmodern works (Sleep No More, Then She Fell)

Decentering the Text

• The role of the text is often decentered, with the visual, aural, and kinesthetic elements of performance given equal or greater importance
• Postdramatic and postmodern performances may incorporate non-verbal forms of expression, such as dance, movement, and multimedia (physical theater, video projections)
• The boundaries between different art forms and genres are often blurred, with postdramatic and postmodern works incorporating elements of performance art, installation art, and new media (interdisciplinary collaborations, digital performance)

Impact on Contemporary Performance

Influence on Contemporary Theater and Performance Art

• Postdramatic and postmodern approaches have had a significant influence on contemporary theater, dance, and performance art
• Many contemporary artists and companies, such as The Wooster Group, Forced Entertainment, and Gob Squad, have embraced postdramatic and postmodern strategies in their work (multimedia integration, collaborative devising processes)
• The emphasis on the experiential and sensory aspects of performance has led to a renewed interest in immersive and participatory forms of theater (site-specific performances, escape room-style experiences)

New Forms of Storytelling and Inclusivity

• Postdramatic and postmodern approaches have also influenced the development of new forms of storytelling, such as transmedia narratives and interactive fiction (alternate reality games, choose-your-own-adventure stories)
• The questioning of traditional power structures and the emphasis on marginalized voices in postdramatic and postmodern performance has contributed to a greater diversity and inclusivity in contemporary theater (works by and about underrepresented communities, non-traditional casting)

Performance and Sociocultural Contexts

Reflecting and Shaping Cultural Landscapes

• Postdramatic and postmodern performance emerged in response to the social, political, and cultural upheavals of the late 20th century, including the civil rights movement, second-wave feminism, and the AIDS crisis
• These performances often sought to challenge dominant ideologies and give voice to marginalized communities (works addressing racism, sexism, and homophobia)
• Postmodern performance, in particular, is often seen as a reflection of the postmodern condition, characterized by a sense of fragmentation, uncertainty, and the collapse of grand narratives
• Postmodern works often engage with issues of globalization, consumerism, and the impact of technology on human experience (critiques of capitalism, explorations of digital identity)

Addressing Social and Political Issues

• Postdramatic and postmodern performances have been influential in shaping public discourse around social and political issues, such as gender, race, and class
• Works such as The Laramie Project and The Vagina Monologues have used postdramatic strategies to address issues of violence, discrimination, and social justice (verbatim theater, personal narratives)
• The relationship between postdramatic and postmodern performance and sociocultural contexts is often dialogic, with performances both reflecting and shaping the cultural landscape in which they are produced (works responding to current events, inspiring social change)