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Without The Other: An Interrogation of the Ethics, Devising, and Performance of Contemporary Autobiographical Theatre

Abstract

The ‘self’ is an unavoidable component of any actor’s work – though it is often shunned: we find that our line of work demands we professionally conceal and avoid that ‘self’. However, continuing to crusade in support of my belief that every traditional ‘limitation’ of the theatre is just another unique opportunity in disguise, I explore the value of ‘the self onstage’ by engaging in autobiographical performance and reflecting on the process and the outcome.

Taking into consideration works leading up to this point, as well as experiences in a more traditional acting role in the Fall 2014 production Birth of Stars at the University of California, Santa Cruz, this document discusses the nature of autobiographical performance, the attraction of the form, some of the inherent challenges presented to an actor approaching this mode, and why autobiographical performance is, in my opinion, essential to the field of contemporary performance.

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