The politics of being on stage

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This volume addresses the central issue in contemporary theatre and performance studies: the actor/performer and their engagement with normative orders. International authors explore the entanglement of actors/performers in various normalizing practices through philosophical discussions, performance analyses, historical examples, and personal narratives. The collection is relevant for those interested in the political potential and ontological aspects of being on stage, extending beyond traditional politics and state governance. The essays contribute to the discourse on the complexities of performance, examining how actors navigate and negotiate societal norms. Contributions come from a diverse group of scholars, including Elaine Aston, Sruti Bala, Wolf-Dieter Ernst, Rikard Hoogland, Birgitta Johansson, Joe Kienast, Michal Kobialka, Heide Lazarus, Ruta Mažeikiene, Juliano Mer Khamis, Kati Röttger, Tiina Rosenberg, and Willmar Sauter. This anthology invites readers to reflect on the implications of performance in relation to identity, power dynamics, and the broader socio-political landscape.