Performance practices research
Explore our research in performance practices, one of our 4 areas of expertise in Theatre, Performance and Music
In our performance practices research, we're looking for solutions to philosophical and political problems. The practical and theoretical work in this area makes no policy or explicit political suggestions, but extends to experiential, knowledge-based and affective alternatives to current issues.
Through our research, we're exploring approaches to contemporary performance, and the meanings it produces. Our work is interdisciplinary, with expertise across international theatre, dance and live art, as well as contextualising practice in history, philosophy and politics.
Our research covers the following topics
- Practice Research
- Philosophy of Time
- Ecological Theory
We take an interdisciplinary and practice-research approach to the study of performance, drawing on continental philosophy to analyse performances and the making processes that produce them. New performances are developed in order to make experiential contributions to knowledge.
Collaborations and partnerships
We're working with festivals and art institutions on curating performance practice. After founding the first gallery of practice research and curating a group show at the 2014 conference of Theatre and Performance Research Association, every annual conference has included a Practice Gallery.
We're members of Performance Philosophy, a network of researchers with an annual conference, book series and journal. Nik Wakefield is a co-convener of the working group on Theatre, Performance and Philosophy in the Theatre and Performance Research Association.
Research outputs
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A glitch in time: digital interruptions and spaces of haunting
Danowski, C. (Accepted/In press) "A glitch in time: digital interruptions and spaces of haunting" In S. Otero, and A. Buccitelli (Eds.), Emerging Perspectives in the Study of Folklore and Performance, Indiana University Press.
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Air Time
Wakefield, N., and Zellmer, S. (2021) "Air Time", Performance Research, 26(7), 80-85.
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Another Time This Time
Danowski, C. (Author). (2022) "Another Time This Time", Performance, King's College London.
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Choral ballads and difficult discussions: approaching anti-racism in choral culture
Burrows, G. (2020, Jul 30) "Choral ballads and difficult discussions: approaching anti-racism in choral culture", Music in Portsmouth.
Our Members
Discover our areas of expertise
Performance practices is one of our 4 areas of expertise in Theatre, Performance and Music research – explore the other areas below.
Applied Theatre
Our research in this area explores how theatre and performance can be used in an educational, community or therapeutic context.
Music
We're investigating music and sound and creating new tools to enhance performance and creativity.
Musical theatre
Our work engages with forms that articulate music with theatre, and explores the historical, social, economic and educational contexts underpinning shows on Broadway and the West End.
Interested in a PhD in Theatre, Performance and Music?
Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Theatre, Performance and Music postgraduate research degrees page.