Theatre and Phenomenology ― Manual Philosophy

What it means to ‘be’ goes to the heart of drama. But in order to engage with theatre’s Being-in-the-world, we need to attend to the meaning of being both in everyday life and in the creative process.

This book provides a clear and accessible introduction to key concepts of phenomenology in relation to theatre, showing how they shed light on the works of influential theatre-makers such as Brecht, Artaud, and Stanislavski. By placing these concepts in dialogue with theatre-makers, Johnston is able to demonstrate how philosophical ideas can be put to work in a theatrical context and how we can approach difficult theory from a practical perspective. Each chapter features exercises and topics for discussion to encourage readers to explore the ideas presented in more depth, making it an excellent resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students of theatre, performance studies, and philosophy.

Daniel Johnston is a Principal Lecturer in Performance for Stage & Screen at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.