Special Programs

Studies in Performance and Practice 

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The Studies in Performance and Practice research cluster functions as a forum for scholars and practitioners to share research and engage in scholarly dialogue and embodied practice around issues of performance and performativity, practice and process, ideally asking questions that cross these lines. One of the goals of the cluster is to engage with issues of practice and performance across a range of disciplinary sites including the more traditional performing arts as well as cultural, literary, historical, and scientific studies. Though many of those involved are interested in the idea of Performance Studies, the cluster is in critical dialogue with this discipline while simultaneously recognizing the powerful lens that emerges from the ability to view a variety of events “as performance.” Participants include graduate students and faculty from Cultural Studies, English, French, Music, Spanish, and Theatre and Dance and the majority of the cluster meetings are centered around research/creative presentations by participants and visiting speakers, some of which are intended to question the conventions of typical research presentations. We are also hoping to sponsor a local conference in 2007-8 on the relationship between performance and identity.