An Enactive Approach to Understanding Acting

Drawing on recent developments in phenomenology, cognitive science, and anthropological ecology, this essay explores an enactive approach to a meta-theoretical understanding of acting as a phenomenon. In contrast to representational and/or mimetic meta-theories of acting, which construct their views...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Theatre journal (Washington, D.C.) D.C.), 2007-12, Vol.59 (4), p.635-647
Main Author: Zarrilli, Phillip B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acting
Actors
American theater
Anthropology
Artistic Representation (Imitation)
Beckett, Samuel
Beckett, Samuel (1906-1989)
Cognitive science
Creativity
Drama
Dramatic theory
Embodiment
Greek language
Historical text analysis
Irish drama
Mind
Perception
Perception theory
Perceptual experiences
Performance art
Performance theory
Personal experiences
Phenomenology
Psychology
Sensory perception
Theater
Theory
Translation methods and strategies
Visual perception
Word meaning
Yoga
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Summary:Drawing on recent developments in phenomenology, cognitive science, and anthropological ecology, this essay explores an enactive approach to a meta-theoretical understanding of acting as a phenomenon. In contrast to representational and/or mimetic meta-theories of acting, which construct their views of action from a position as an outside observer to the process/phenomenon of acting, an enactive view provides an account of acting from "inside" the process itself-that is, from the perspective of the actor as enactor/doer. Acting is not to be viewed as embodying a representation of a role or a character, but rather should be understood as a dynamic, lived experience in which the actor is responsive to the demands of the particular moment within a specific (theatrical) environment.
ISSN:0192-2882
1086-332X
1086-332X
DOI:10.1353/tj.2008.0002