Staging Change: Toward a Theatrical Theory of Activist Performance

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Dr Victoria L. Scrimer (University of Maryland, USA, and the University of Mary Washington, USA) Anja Hartl (University of Innsbruck, Austria)

Staging Change

Toward a Theatrical Theory of Activist Performance

Dr Victoria L. Scrimer (University of Maryland, USA, and the University of Mary Washington, USA), Anja Hartl (University of Innsbruck, Austria), William C. Boles (Rollins College, USA)

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English

Methuen Drama
23 January 2025

Theatre Studies; Interdisciplinary studies; Social issues & processes; Political activism

Series: Methuen Drama Agitations: Text, Politics and Performances

Exploring a wide variety of examples of activist performances, such as David Buckel’s self-immolation, and the January 6th capitol insurrection, this book analyses activist performance through the lens of postdramatic theatre theory.

Staging Change poses the provocative question: are activists addicted to drama? Scrimer examines the ways in which the performance and reception of protest is informed by the logic of dramatic theatre, and argues that such performative arrangements are so naturalized that they can limit the ability of activists and their audiences to imagine different ways of precipitating change. By combining performance analysis, interviews with artists and activists, and autoethnographic accounts of the author’s own experiences as an environmental activist, the book illustrates the limitations and alternatives to dramatic representation in activist performance.

The last decade has seen an increase in political demonstrations worldwide, particularly following the excitement and disappointments of the Arab Spring uprisings. We have seen several notable movements such as the Occupy movement, the mobilization of Black Lives Matter, and the #MeToo movement. In response, scholars, artists, and activists from diverse disciplines have produced an exciting array of practical and theoretical approaches for talking about and thinking through activism. Utilizing these interdisciplinary approaches, Scrimer offers us a theoretical inquiry into the possible applications of Hans-Thies Lehmann’s postdramatic theatre theory in the context of political activism, and subsequently extends an alternative conceptual model for activist performance beyond the dramatic paradigm.

By: Dr Victoria L. Scrimer (University of Maryland USA and the University of Mary Washington USA)
Series edited by: Anja Hartl (University of Innsbruck Austria), William C. Boles (Rollins College, USA)
Imprint: Methuen Drama
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm,
ISBN: 9781350445635
ISBN 10: 1350445630
Series: Methuen Drama Agitations: Text, Politics and Performances
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 23 January 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Victoria L. Scrimer is Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre History and Criticism at Millikin University, USA. She has spent a decade working for social and environmental justice organizations including Greenpeace and First Peoples Worldwide.