Making Arising Performance: Creativity, Psychology, and the Mystery of Just Knowing
Abstract
This article will discuss the process of performance creation as something which I will be calling here ‘arising performance.’ The aim of this paper is to discuss approaches and models for teaching performance making as a creative practice in which the final product ‘arises’ out of the process of creation. For understanding and considering the nature of creativity I will discuss theories regarding the state of flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1996), the state of oneness (Yuasa, 1987, 1993) and practices designed to increase creativity (Cameron, 2002). By identifying shared aspects within these theories/practices, such as the necessity for non-judgement, I will consider common obstacles present in the creative process. Through these considerations, I hope to suggest approaches for teaching performance making, where the goal is to increase the creative confidence and potential of students. This paper will draw on examples of approach and experience from my own practice as an actor and teacher/director.
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References
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