2.2 Phenomenology and performance

Phenomenology in performance studies explores how we experience and make meaning during live events. It looks at the lived experiences of performers and audience members, focusing on their bodies, senses, and interactions.

This approach helps us understand the unique, in-the-moment aspects of performance. It reveals how shared experiences and temporary communities form through the dynamic interplay between performers, audience, and environment.

Phenomenology in Performance Studies

Philosophical Approach to Conscious Experience

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• Phenomenology studies conscious experience from a first-person perspective, focusing on the structures of experience and meaning-making
• Key phenomenological concepts relevant to performance studies include embodiment, intersubjectivity, perception, temporality, and spatiality
• Phenomenology emphasizes the lived experience of both performers and audience members, considering their subjective encounters with the performance event
• Phenomenological approaches investigate how meaning emerges through the dynamic interaction between performers, audience members, and the performance environment (theater, concert hall, public space)

Application to Performance Studies

• Phenomenological methods capture and analyze the subjective experiences of performers and audience members
  • Participant observation involves researchers immersing themselves in the performance event to gain first-hand experience
  • Interviews with performers and audience members provide insights into their lived experiences and meaning-making processes
  • Reflective writing, such as performance journals or audience feedback, documents the subjective responses to the performance
• Phenomenology offers a framework for understanding the embodied, sensory, and intersubjective aspects of performance
• Phenomenological analyses shed light on the ways in which performance events create shared experiences and temporary communities among participants

Lived Experience in Performance

Performers' Lived Experiences

• Performers' lived experiences involve the embodied, cognitive, and emotional processes they undergo during the act of performing
  • Engagement with the performance space, such as navigating the stage or interacting with props and sets
  • Interaction with fellow performers, including coordination, communication, and shared energy
  • Connection with the audience, sensing their presence and responding to their reactions
• Performers' experiences are shaped by factors such as their preparation, training, and personal background
  • Rehearsal processes and techniques influence the performer's embodied knowledge and emotional connection to the role
  • Individual artistic vision and interpretation shape the performer's approach to the performance
  • Cultural identity and life experiences inform the performer's understanding and portrayal of the character or piece

Audience Members' Lived Experiences

• Audience members' lived experiences encompass their sensory, affective, and interpretive responses to the performance
  • Sensory engagement with the performance, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements (lighting, music, movement)
  • Emotional reactions to the content, themes, and performers' expressions (joy, sadness, anger, empathy)
  • Intellectual interpretation and meaning-making based on personal background, cultural context, and prior knowledge
• Audience members' experiences are influenced by their expectations, preconceptions, and the social context of the event
  • Marketing materials, reviews, and word-of-mouth shape audience expectations and frame their experience
  • Social norms and etiquette of the performance venue impact the audience's behavior and engagement (applause, silence, participation)
  • Presence and reactions of other audience members contribute to the collective experience and atmosphere

Embodied Performance

Centrality of the Body

• Embodiment refers to the central role of the body in shaping experience and meaning-making
  • Consciousness is inherently grounded in bodily sensations, movements, and gestures
  • The body serves as the primary medium of expression in performance, conveying meaning through physical presence, movement, and vocal delivery
• Phenomenological analyses attend to the ways in which performers' bodies create and communicate meaning
  • Gesture, facial expressions, and posture convey emotions, intentions, and relationships between characters
  • Movement qualities, such as rhythm, tempo, and energy, contribute to the overall tone and atmosphere of the performance
  • Vocal techniques, including intonation, pitch, and volume, express the character's inner states and intentions

Sensory Dimensions of Performance

• The sensory qualities of the performance space influence the embodied experience of the performance
  • Lighting design creates mood, directs attention, and shapes the visual perception of the performance
  • Sound design, including music, sound effects, and acoustic properties, impacts the emotional and sensory experience
  • Set design, costumes, and props provide tactile and visual elements that contribute to the sensory world of the performance
• Phenomenological approaches investigate how the sensory dimensions of performance engage and affect the audience
  • Visual elements capture attention, guide focus, and create aesthetic experiences
  • Auditory components evoke emotional responses, establish atmosphere, and convey narrative information
  • Kinesthetic sensations, such as the perception of movement and rhythm, engage the audience's bodily responses and create a sense of participation

Intersubjectivity in Performance Encounters

Co-Presence and Co-Creation of Meaning

• Intersubjectivity refers to the shared, relational nature of human experience, recognizing that meaning emerges through interaction and mutual understanding
• Performance events are inherently intersubjective, involving the co-presence and co-creation of meaning between performers and audience members
  • Performers and audience members share a physical and temporal space, creating a sense of immediacy and connection
  • The live nature of performance allows for real-time responses, adaptations, and improvisations based on the intersubjective dynamics
  • Meaning is co-constructed through the performers' actions and the audience's interpretations, creating a unique and emergent experience

Establishing Connection and Empathy

• Phenomenological investigations explore how performers and audience members establish a sense of connection, empathy, and shared experience
  • Performers use techniques such as eye contact, direct address, and physical proximity to engage the audience and create a sense of intimacy
  • Audience members' responses, such as laughter, applause, or attentive silence, provide feedback and validation to the performers, reinforcing the intersubjective connection
  • Shared cultural references, themes, and emotions in the performance content create a common ground for understanding and empathy between performers and audience members

Formation of Temporary Communities

• The intersubjective dynamics of performance contribute to the formation of temporary communities or shared identities among participants
  • The collective experience of attending a performance event creates a sense of belonging and shared purpose among audience members
  • Participatory elements, such as audience interaction or immersive design, foster a sense of collaboration and co-creation between performers and audience members
  • Post-performance discussions, reviews, and social media interactions extend the intersubjective experience beyond the performance event itself, creating ongoing dialogues and communities of interpretation