Finding Identity Through Directing

Finding Identity through Directing is a practice-led autoethnographical monograph that explores the field of theatre directing and how it can help a culturally displaced individual find a sense of identity. It examines the internal struggles of belonging, acceptance, and self-discovery that are often experienced by those who have confronted cultural unhoming, and how theatre directing can aid in these processes. The book also questions what attracts an individual to the authoritative role of the director and the underlying motivations of this attraction, highlighting the potential of the theatre as a setting for cultural exchanges and personal development.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 110 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Finding Identity through Directing is a practice-led autoethnographical monograph that delves into the realm of theatre directing and the perpetual quest for personal belonging. The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the field, focusing on how a culturally displaced individual can find a sense of identity through their directing endeavors. It addresses the internal conflicts of belonging, acceptance, and self-identity that often arise for individuals who have faced cultural displacement.

The first half of the story delves into Dr. Yekanian's personal journey as an Iranian-born Armenian-Australian, examining the challenges she faced in navigating a world that often rejected her differences. Through her experiences, she grapples with the question of belonging and the quest for acceptance.

The second half of the book explores how theatre directing played a pivotal role in her (re)discovery of self. While evidence suggests a growing interest in the vocation of theatre directing in recent years, embarking on a career in this field can be both exciting and challenging. The book questions this conundrum and seeks to understand what attracts individuals to the authoritative role of the director and what motivates their pursuit of this profession.

By uncovering the multifaceted aspects of the director's role beyond the finalization of a production, the book reveals that the theatre serves as a fertile ground for cultural exchanges and personal development. Theatre directing as a vehicle for these expansions and progressions of self has the potential to address the internal struggles of identity often experienced by those who, in some form, have encountered cultural displacement.

Weight: 204g
Dimension: 154 x 235 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367490843