7.2 Race and ethnicity in performance

Race and ethnicity in performance studies explores how identities are constructed, represented, and challenged through artistic expression. This field examines historical developments of racial categories, their impact on theatrical traditions, and how performance has both reinforced and subverted racial hierarchies.

The study delves into representation of ethnicity, power dynamics, contemporary racial discourse, and ethnic performance traditions. It analyzes how artists from marginalized groups use performance as a tool for empowerment and social change, while also examining institutional racism in theater and intercultural performance.

Historical context of race

• Race in performance studies explores how racial identities are constructed, represented, and challenged through various forms of artistic expression
• Examines the historical development of racial categories and their impact on theatrical traditions and cultural representations
• Analyzes how performance has both reinforced and subverted racial hierarchies throughout history

Origins of racial categorization

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• Emerged during European colonialism and the Age of Exploration (15th-17th centuries)
• Pseudoscientific theories of racial difference developed to justify exploitation and slavery
• Social Darwinism and eugenics movements further entrenched racial hierarchies
• Racial categories evolved over time, reflecting changing social and political contexts

Race in colonial performances

• Colonial exhibitions and human zoos displayed indigenous peoples as exotic spectacles
• Performances reinforced stereotypes and justified colonial expansion
• Native peoples forced to perform "authentic" cultural practices for European audiences
• Colonized subjects sometimes used performance to resist and subvert colonial narratives

Minstrelsy and stereotypes

• Blackface minstrelsy originated in the United States in the early 19th century
• White performers portrayed caricatured Black characters using exaggerated makeup and mannerisms
• Perpetuated harmful stereotypes (lazy, unintelligent, hypersexual)
• Influenced popular culture and shaped racial attitudes for generations
• Some Black performers adopted blackface, complicating issues of representation and authenticity

Representation of ethnicity

• Ethnicity in performance studies focuses on how cultural identities are expressed and negotiated through artistic practices
• Examines the ways in which ethnic groups represent themselves and are represented by others in various performance contexts
• Explores the tension between preserving cultural traditions and adapting to new cultural environments

Cultural appropriation vs appreciation

• Cultural appropriation involves adopting elements of a minority culture without understanding or respecting its significance
• Appreciation involves engaging with other cultures in a respectful, informed manner
• Debates surrounding the use of ethnic costumes, music, and rituals in performances
• Power dynamics and historical context play crucial roles in determining appropriation vs appreciation

Ethnic identity in theater

• Explores how playwrights and performers represent their own ethnic backgrounds on stage
• Examines the challenges of authentically portraying ethnic characters and experiences
• Considers the role of language, accent, and cultural practices in shaping ethnic identities in performance
• Analyzes how ethnic theater challenges or reinforces mainstream cultural narratives

Diaspora performances

• Focuses on artistic expressions of displaced ethnic communities
• Explores themes of migration, cultural hybridity, and nostalgia
• Examines how diasporic performers negotiate between their ancestral cultures and host societies
• Analyzes the role of performance in maintaining cultural connections across geographical boundaries

Race and power dynamics

• Investigates how racial hierarchies and power structures are reflected and challenged in performance
• Examines the ways in which performance can reinforce or subvert existing racial power dynamics
• Explores how artists from marginalized racial groups use performance as a tool for empowerment and social change

Whiteness in performance

• Analyzes how whiteness is constructed and maintained as a dominant racial category
• Examines the invisibility of whiteness as a racial identity in mainstream theater
• Explores how white privilege shapes casting decisions, play selection, and audience reception
• Considers efforts to deconstruct and critique whiteness through performance (anti-racist theater)

Marginalized voices in theater

• Focuses on the representation and inclusion of racial minorities in theatrical productions
• Examines the challenges faced by playwrights and performers of color in gaining recognition
• Analyzes how marginalized voices challenge dominant narratives and expand theatrical canon
• Explores the role of community theaters and cultural centers in nurturing diverse talent

Intersectionality on stage

• Examines how race intersects with other identity categories (gender, class, sexuality)
• Analyzes performances that explore multiple, overlapping forms of oppression
• Considers how intersectional approaches can create more nuanced representations of identity
• Explores the challenges of representing complex identities within the constraints of traditional theater

Contemporary racial discourse

• Examines how current debates and theories about race are reflected in and shaped by performance
• Explores how performance artists engage with and contribute to ongoing discussions about racial justice
• Analyzes the role of theater and performance in challenging racist ideologies and promoting social change

Post-colonial performance theory

• Analyzes performances that address the legacy of colonialism and its ongoing effects
• Examines how artists from formerly colonized nations reclaim and reinterpret their cultural heritage
• Explores themes of cultural hybridity, resistance, and decolonization in contemporary performance
• Considers the role of language and translation in post-colonial theater

Critical race theory in theater

• Applies principles of critical race theory to analyze theatrical productions and practices
• Examines how systemic racism shapes theatrical institutions and artistic choices
• Explores performances that explicitly address racial inequality and discrimination
• Analyzes how theater can serve as a site for racial consciousness-raising and activism

Color-blind vs color-conscious casting

• Color-blind casting ignores race in casting decisions, aiming for meritocracy
• Color-conscious casting considers race as part of an actor's identity and the play's context
• Debates surrounding the effectiveness and implications of each approach
• Examines how different casting practices affect representation and interpretation of plays

Ethnic performance traditions

• Explores the diverse performance practices of various ethnic groups around the world
• Examines how traditional forms of performance reflect and shape cultural identities
• Analyzes the ways in which ethnic performance traditions adapt and evolve in response to changing social contexts

Indigenous performance practices

• Explores diverse forms of storytelling, dance, and ritual among indigenous cultures
• Examines the role of performance in maintaining cultural knowledge and spiritual beliefs
• Analyzes how indigenous performers navigate between traditional practices and contemporary contexts
• Considers issues of cultural preservation, revitalization, and appropriation in indigenous performance

African-American theater history

• Traces the development of Black theater from the 19th century to the present
• Examines key figures and movements (Harlem Renaissance, Black Arts Movement)
• Analyzes how African-American theater has addressed issues of racism, identity, and social justice
• Explores the tension between creating art for Black audiences and gaining mainstream recognition

Asian-American performance art

• Examines the diverse artistic expressions of Asian-American performers and playwrights
• Analyzes themes of immigration, cultural assimilation, and generational conflict
• Explores how Asian-American artists challenge stereotypes and assert complex identities
• Considers the impact of historical events (Japanese internment, Vietnam War) on Asian-American performance

Race in popular culture

• Examines how racial identities and stereotypes are represented and circulated through mass media
• Analyzes the impact of popular culture on shaping public perceptions of race and ethnicity
• Explores how artists of color navigate the opportunities and constraints of mainstream entertainment industries

Racial stereotypes in media

• Analyzes the persistence of racial caricatures and tropes in film, television, and advertising
• Examines how stereotypes evolve over time in response to changing social attitudes
• Explores the economic and cultural factors that contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes
• Considers strategies for challenging and subverting harmful racial representations in media

Representation in film and TV

• Examines the historical underrepresentation of racial minorities in leading roles and behind the camera
• Analyzes the impact of diverse representation on audience reception and cultural attitudes
• Explores recent efforts to increase diversity in Hollywood (inclusion riders, diversity initiatives)
• Considers the challenges of creating authentic representations within commercial media structures

Race in music and dance

• Examines how various musical genres reflect and shape racial identities (hip-hop, jazz, reggae)
• Analyzes the appropriation and commodification of Black music by the mainstream music industry
• Explores how dance forms embody and express racial and cultural identities
• Considers the role of music and dance in fostering cross-cultural understanding and exchange

Performativity of race

• Explores how racial identities are constructed and maintained through everyday performances
• Examines the ways in which individuals enact racial identities through behavior, speech, and appearance
• Analyzes how performance can both reinforce and challenge essentialist notions of race

Race as social construction

• Examines how racial categories are created and maintained through social interactions
• Analyzes the historical and cultural variability of racial classifications
• Explores how performance can expose the arbitrary nature of racial categories
• Considers the tension between acknowledging race as a construct and addressing real-world racial inequalities

Passing and racial ambiguity

• Examines the phenomenon of individuals crossing racial boundaries through performance
• Analyzes historical and contemporary examples of racial passing in literature and theater
• Explores how mixed-race identities challenge binary racial categories
• Considers the psychological and social implications of passing and racial ambiguity

Racial identity performance

• Examines how individuals consciously and unconsciously perform their racial identities
• Analyzes the concept of "acting white" and its implications for racial authenticity
• Explores how racial performances vary across different social contexts and audiences
• Considers how performance can be used to resist or subvert imposed racial categories

Institutional racism in theater

• Examines how systemic racial biases affect all aspects of theatrical production and reception
• Analyzes the historical exclusion of people of color from leadership positions in theater institutions
• Explores efforts to address racial inequities in funding, programming, and audience development

Diversity in casting practices

• Examines the underrepresentation of actors of color in mainstream theater productions
• Analyzes different approaches to inclusive casting (non-traditional, color-conscious)
• Explores the impact of diverse casting on audience reception and interpretation of plays
• Considers the challenges of balancing artistic vision with the need for representation

Racial bias in criticism

• Examines how the predominantly white theater criticism establishment affects reception of works by artists of color
• Analyzes the impact of critics' cultural backgrounds on their interpretations and evaluations
• Explores efforts to diversify theater criticism and amplify voices of critics of color
• Considers the role of social media in democratizing theater criticism and challenging dominant narratives

Representation in leadership roles

• Examines the historical exclusion of people of color from artistic director and management positions
• Analyzes the impact of leadership diversity on programming choices and institutional culture
• Explores initiatives to promote diversity in theater administration and board membership
• Considers the challenges faced by leaders of color in predominantly white institutions

Intercultural performance

• Examines performances that blend or juxtapose elements from different cultural traditions
• Analyzes the potential for intercultural exchange to foster understanding and challenge stereotypes
• Explores the ethical considerations and power dynamics involved in cross-cultural collaborations

Fusion of ethnic traditions

• Examines performances that combine elements from multiple cultural traditions
• Analyzes how fusion performances can create new forms of artistic expression
• Explores the tension between cultural preservation and innovation in fusion works
• Considers the reception of fusion performances by different cultural communities

Cultural exchange in theater

• Examines international theater festivals and cultural exchange programs
• Analyzes the impact of globalization on theatrical practices and aesthetics
• Explores how cultural exchange can both enrich and potentially homogenize theatrical traditions
• Considers the challenges of translating and adapting works for different cultural contexts

Globalization and performance

• Examines how global economic and cultural flows affect local performance traditions
• Analyzes the impact of digital technologies on the circulation of performance practices
• Explores how artists respond to and critique globalization through their work
• Considers the tension between global cultural homogenization and the preservation of local traditions

Race and audience reception

• Examines how racial identities and experiences shape audience interpretations of performances
• Analyzes the impact of diverse audiences on the creation and reception of theatrical works
• Explores strategies for engaging audiences in critical discussions about race and performance

Cultural competence in viewership

• Examines the skills and knowledge needed to appreciate performances from diverse cultural traditions
• Analyzes how cultural background affects audience interpretation and emotional response
• Explores strategies for developing cultural competence through education and exposure
• Considers the challenges of balancing accessibility with cultural specificity in performance

Impact of diverse audiences

• Examines how changing demographics affect theater programming and marketing
• Analyzes the reception of racially-themed works by different audience groups
• Explores strategies for cultivating diverse audiences and creating inclusive theater spaces
• Considers the potential for theater to foster cross-cultural understanding and empathy

Racial discourse in talkbacks

• Examines the role of post-performance discussions in addressing racial themes and representation
• Analyzes the challenges of facilitating productive conversations about race in public settings
• Explores strategies for creating safe spaces for audience members to share diverse perspectives
• Considers the potential for talkbacks to extend the impact of performances and promote social change