Lives in Play

Autobiography and Biography on the Feminist Stage

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Performing Arts, Theatre, History & Criticism
Cover of the book Lives in Play by Ryan Claycomb, University of Michigan Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ryan Claycomb ISBN: 9780472028535
Publisher: University of Michigan Press Publication: August 8, 2012
Imprint: University of Michigan Press Language: English
Author: Ryan Claycomb
ISBN: 9780472028535
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Publication: August 8, 2012
Imprint: University of Michigan Press
Language: English

Lives in Play explores the centrality of life narratives to women’s drama and performance from the 1970s to the present moment. In the early days of second-wave feminism, the slogan was “The personal is the political.” These autobiographical and biographical “true stories” have the political impact of the real and have also helped a range of feminists tease out the more complicated aspects of gender, sex, and sexuality in a Western culture that now imagines itself as “postfeminist.”

The book’s scope is broad, from performance artists like Karen Finley, Holly Hughes, and Bobby Baker to playwrights like Suzan-Lori Parks, Maria Irene Fornes, and Sarah Kane. The book links the narrative tactics and theatrical approaches of biography
and autobiography and shows how theater artists use life writing strategies to advance women’s rights and remake women’s representations. Lives in Play will appeal to scholars in performance studies, women’s studies, and literature, including those in the growing field of auto/biography studies.

“ A fresh perspective and wide-ranging analysis of changes in feminist theater for the past thirty years . . . a most welcome addition to the literature on theater, in particular scholarship on feminist practices.”

—*Choice *

“Helps sustain an important history by reviving works of feminist theater and performance and giving them a new and refreshing context and theorical underpinning . . . considering 1970s performance art alongside more conventional play production.” 

—Lesley Ferris, The Ohio State University

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Lives in Play explores the centrality of life narratives to women’s drama and performance from the 1970s to the present moment. In the early days of second-wave feminism, the slogan was “The personal is the political.” These autobiographical and biographical “true stories” have the political impact of the real and have also helped a range of feminists tease out the more complicated aspects of gender, sex, and sexuality in a Western culture that now imagines itself as “postfeminist.”

The book’s scope is broad, from performance artists like Karen Finley, Holly Hughes, and Bobby Baker to playwrights like Suzan-Lori Parks, Maria Irene Fornes, and Sarah Kane. The book links the narrative tactics and theatrical approaches of biography
and autobiography and shows how theater artists use life writing strategies to advance women’s rights and remake women’s representations. Lives in Play will appeal to scholars in performance studies, women’s studies, and literature, including those in the growing field of auto/biography studies.

“ A fresh perspective and wide-ranging analysis of changes in feminist theater for the past thirty years . . . a most welcome addition to the literature on theater, in particular scholarship on feminist practices.”

—*Choice *

“Helps sustain an important history by reviving works of feminist theater and performance and giving them a new and refreshing context and theorical underpinning . . . considering 1970s performance art alongside more conventional play production.” 

—Lesley Ferris, The Ohio State University

More books from University of Michigan Press

Cover of the book Dissent in Dangerous Times by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Discipline and Desire by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Immanent Distance by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Backlash Against the ADA by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book The Influence of Campaign Contributions in State Legislatures by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Law and the Rural Economy in the Roman Empire by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Speaking in Tongues by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Star Worlds by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Building a New Biocultural Synthesis by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Mr. Democrat by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Floating Palaces of the Great Lakes by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Taking Trade to the Streets by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book How Long Have You Been With Us? by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book In the Red by Ryan Claycomb
Cover of the book Newcomers, Outsiders, and Insiders by Ryan Claycomb
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy