Contemporary Storytelling Performance: Female Artists on Practices, Platforms, Presences

This book explores the innovation of female storytellers in interdisciplinary collaboration and the creation of new multimedia platforms for story-led performance. It features in-depth interviews with artists and reflections on a four-decade career, documenting the working lives of professional storytelling artists and redefining storytelling as a contemporary performance practice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the captivating world of a rising generation of female storytellers, exploring their groundbreaking innovation in interdisciplinary collaboration and the creation of new multimedia platforms for story-led performance. Through an extensive series of in-depth interviews with a diverse range of artists, including Jo Blake, Xanthe Gresham-Knight, Mara Menzies, Clare Murphy, Debs Newbold, Rachel Rose Reid, Sarah Liisa Wilkinson, and Vanessa Woolf, the author sheds light on the creative processes and artistic journeys of these visionary individuals. Moreover, Sally Pomme Clayton's reflections on her remarkable four-decade career provide a valuable long-term context for these cutting-edge conversations.

Blending ethnographic research and performance analysis, this book offers a rich tapestry of insights into the working lives of professional storytelling artists. It delves into the practices, values, aspirations, and achievements of this generation, who are actively redefining storytelling as a contemporary performance practice. They tackle a wide range of topics, from ecology and maternity to griefwork and neuroscience, collaborating with diverse creative partners to generate new, inclusive presences for a traditionally inspired artform.

This book is a treasure trove for students, scholars, and practitioners in drama, theatre, performance, creative writing, education, and media. It offers valuable perspectives, methodologies, and inspiration for those seeking to explore the evolving landscape of storytelling and its impact on contemporary culture. By delving into the innovative practices of these female storytellers, it provides a roadmap for future generations to embrace the power of narrative and create meaningful, inclusive performances that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367698669