Cultural Performance

This engaging book introduces the burgeoning and interdisciplinary field of cultural performance, offering ethnographic approaches to performance as well as looking at the aesthetics of experience and performance theory. Featuring case studies from a rich cross-section of academics, chapters explore performances from regions as far flung as Bhutan, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, New Zealand and the USA. With cultural performances as varied as Catholic rituals, Maori ceremonies, Monster Truck rallies, musicals, theatre and singing performances, this fascinating text compares performance as art and performance as cultural expression. Ideal for students of performance or ethnography, this unique collection presents a clear framework for studying the themes, methodologies and developments of cultural performance. Kevin Landis is Associate Professor of Theatre in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, USA. Suzanne MacAulay is Professor and Chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, USA.