Ethnography in performance studies bridges academic research and artistic practice. It involves immersive observation of cultural contexts to inform performances that represent marginalized communities. This method allows creators to develop authentic, nuanced works grounded in real-life experiences.

Applying ethnographic methods to performance creation requires careful consideration of ethics. Creators must navigate representation, power dynamics, and informed consent while maintaining confidentiality. The process involves collecting and analyzing data, then developing and staging performances that respectfully portray cultural experiences.

Ethnography in Performance Studies

Definition and Role of Ethnography

• Ethnography is a qualitative research method that involves immersive observation and participation in a specific cultural context (marginalized communities, underrepresented groups) to gain an in-depth understanding of the culture's practices, beliefs, and experiences
• In performance studies, ethnography is used to gather material and insights from real-life cultural experiences to inform the creation of performance pieces that represent and explore those cultures
• Ethnographic research in performance studies often focuses on giving voice to the stories and experiences of marginalized or underrepresented communities through performance
• The role of ethnography in performance studies is to bridge the gap between academic research and artistic practice, allowing performers to create works that are grounded in real-life cultural experiences and perspectives

Ethnography as a Qualitative Research Method

• Ethnography involves the researcher immersing themselves in the daily life and activities of a specific cultural group or community for an extended period of time
• The researcher conducts participant observation, which involves actively participating in the community's practices and events while documenting observations through field notes, photographs, or recordings
• Ethnographic research also includes conducting interviews with community members to gather their personal stories, experiences, and perspectives
• The goal of ethnographic research is to gain a deep, holistic understanding of the culture from an insider's perspective, rather than imposing external theories or assumptions

Ethnographic Research for Performance Creation

Relationship between Ethnographic Research and Performance

• Ethnographic research provides performance creators with rich, detailed material about specific cultural contexts, including narratives, customs, rituals, and everyday practices that can be incorporated into performance pieces
• The process of conducting ethnographic research, such as participant observation and interviews, helps performance creators develop a deeper understanding of and empathy for the cultural experiences they aim to represent on stage
• Ethnographic material can be used to create performance pieces that are more authentic, nuanced, and culturally sensitive, as they are based on real-life observations and interactions rather than stereotypes or assumptions
• The relationship between ethnographic research and performance creation is iterative and dynamic, with insights from the research process continuously informing and shaping the development of the performance piece

Applying Ethnographic Methods to Performance Development

• The first step in applying ethnographic methods to performance creation is to identify a specific cultural context or community to study and obtain access to that community through gatekeepers or personal connections
• Ethnographic methods such as participant observation involve immersing oneself in the daily life and activities of the community (attending events, participating in rituals), building relationships with community members, and documenting observations through field notes, photographs, or recordings
• Interviews with community members can provide valuable insights into their experiences, beliefs, and perspectives, which can be used to develop characters, narratives, and themes for the performance piece
• The ethnographic material collected through observation and interviews must be analyzed and interpreted to identify key themes, patterns, and meanings that can be explored and represented through performance
• The process of creating the performance piece involves selecting and adapting the ethnographic material, developing a structure and aesthetic approach that effectively communicates the cultural experiences and themes, and collaborating with performers and designers to bring the piece to life on stage

Ethics of Ethnographic Performance Material

Representation and Power Dynamics

• One key ethical consideration is the issue of representation, as performance creators must be mindful of how they portray the cultural experiences and identities of the communities they have studied, avoiding stereotypes, appropriation, or misrepresentation
• Another ethical consideration is the power dynamic between the researcher and the researched community, as the researcher's position of privilege and authority can influence the way cultural experiences are interpreted and represented in performance
• Performance creators must also consider the potential impact of their work on the researched community, ensuring that the performance does not exploit or harm the community members and that they have a voice in how their experiences are represented

Informed Consent and Confidentiality

• Informed consent is crucial in using ethnographic material for performance, as the researcher must obtain permission from the community members to use their stories and experiences and ensure they understand how the material will be used
• Ethnographers must maintain the confidentiality and privacy of the individuals and communities they study, protecting sensitive information and respecting the boundaries set by the community members
• Throughout the performance creation process, it is important to maintain a reflexive and ethical approach, continuously reflecting on one's own biases and assumptions and ensuring that the voices and experiences of the community members are accurately and respectfully represented

Ethnographic Methods for Performance Development

Identifying and Accessing Cultural Communities

• The first step in applying ethnographic methods to performance creation is to identify a specific cultural context or community to study (immigrant groups, indigenous tribes, subcultures)
• Researchers must obtain access to the community through gatekeepers (community leaders, organizations) or personal connections, building trust and rapport with community members
• Researchers should be transparent about their intentions and goals, explaining the purpose of the study and how the ethnographic material will be used in the performance piece

Collecting and Analyzing Ethnographic Material

• Ethnographic data collection involves a combination of participant observation (field notes, photographs, recordings) and interviews with community members (personal stories, experiences, beliefs)
• The researcher must immerse themselves in the daily life and activities of the community for an extended period of time, actively participating in events and practices while maintaining a balance between involvement and observation
• Interviews should be conducted in a comfortable, respectful manner, using open-ended questions and active listening to elicit rich, detailed responses from participants
• The collected ethnographic material must be carefully analyzed and interpreted, identifying recurring themes, patterns, and meanings that can be explored and represented through performance
• Researchers should use coding and categorization techniques to organize the data and draw connections between different elements of the cultural experience

Developing and Staging Ethnographic Performances

• The process of creating an ethnographic performance piece involves selecting and adapting the most compelling and relevant material from the collected data, shaping it into a coherent narrative or thematic structure
• Performance creators must develop an aesthetic approach (staging, design, movement) that effectively communicates the cultural experiences and themes, using techniques such as symbolism, metaphor, and juxtaposition
• Collaboration with performers, designers, and community members is crucial in bringing the ethnographic material to life on stage, ensuring that the piece accurately and respectfully represents the cultural experiences
• Staging choices (set design, costumes, music) should be informed by the ethnographic research, creating an immersive and authentic environment that transports the audience into the cultural context
• Throughout the development and staging process, performance creators must maintain a reflexive and ethical approach, continually questioning their own biases and assumptions and seeking feedback from community members to ensure accurate representation