The Significance of Humour in Contemporary Performance: Engaging the Spectator in Political Discourse by Valuing the Object of Laughter / Claudia Marciano (2022)

The Significance of Humour in Contemporary Performance: Engaging the Spectator in Political Discourse by Valuing the Object of Laughter

Author: Claudia Marciano

Course: MFA Choreography

Year: 2022

Keywords: Contemporary dance, Feminism, Stand-up,

Abstract

This essay will reflect on the beginnings of my investigation into a potential intersection
between stand-up comedy and dance. It will situate itself within the evolving philosophical
and scientific theories of laughter, and from this draw hypotheses on its affecting capabilities
on spectators of live performance. I will propose the argument that we can employ this
intersection of forms to cultivate a more active audience within the contemporary dance
genre. I will further speculate that a more active audience within presentations of, what some
might consider more elitist art forms, will increase the efficacy of political and social
discourse across the performance space. I will reflect on my developing practice as a solo
artist, both in and out of the studio, as well as workshops and rehearsals that I have
facilitated. Finally, I will reflect on how this new approach to making work could be
significant in engaging a live audience in feminist discourse.

Full text
You must be a Trinity Laban staff member or student, or alternatively be a visitor onsite to gain access to the full text of this thesis. Please login.
Metadata

dc.contributor.author
dc.date.accessioned 2023-04-21 11:52
dc.date.copyright 2022
dc.identifier.uri https://researchonline.trinitylaban.ac.uk/oa/thesis/?p=2831
dc.description.abstract

This essay will reflect on the beginnings of my investigation into a potential intersection
between stand-up comedy and dance. It will situate itself within the evolving philosophical
and scientific theories of laughter, and from this draw hypotheses on its affecting capabilities
on spectators of live performance. I will propose the argument that we can employ this
intersection of forms to cultivate a more active audience within the contemporary dance
genre. I will further speculate that a more active audience within presentations of, what some
might consider more elitist art forms, will increase the efficacy of political and social
discourse across the performance space. I will reflect on my developing practice as a solo
artist, both in and out of the studio, as well as workshops and rehearsals that I have
facilitated. Finally, I will reflect on how this new approach to making work could be
significant in engaging a live audience in feminist discourse.
dc.language.iso EN
dc.subject Contemporary dance
dc.subject Feminism
dc.subject Stand-up
dc.title The Significance of Humour in Contemporary Performance: Engaging the Spectator in Political Discourse by Valuing the Object of Laughter
thesis.degree.name MFA Choreography
dc.date.updated 2023-04-21 11:53

Coming soon:
dc.type
thesis.degree.level
dc.rights.accessrights

APA
Marciano, Claudia. (2022). The Significance of Humour in Contemporary Performance: Engaging the Spectator in Political Discourse by Valuing the Object of Laughter (Masters’ theses). Retrieved https://researchonline.trinitylaban.ac.uk/oa/thesis/?p=2831