The Philosopher as Stage-Hand

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21476/PP.2015.1111

Abstract

If the philosopher has an analogue in the theatre, perhaps it is not with the performer, the one who shows, but with the stage-hand, the one who sets the stage. This is not, as some might argue, because the stage-hand has some special access to what is behind-the-scenes, or because she knows that what is on-stage is only illusion. The stage-hand’s work is not hidden. It is exactly the opposite: the work is there for all to see. It is because it is there that all can see. It is the work that makes the seeing possible.

Author Biography

Theron Schmidt, UNSW Sydney

[email protected]

Theron Schmidt is a writer, teacher, and performer. He is one of the co-conveners of Performance Philosophy and an editor of this journal. He has contributed to anthologies and journals such as Postdramatic Theatre and the Political, Performance Research, Law Text Culture, the Live Art Almanac, and Contemporary Theatre Review, where he is an Assistant Editor. In addition to his academic research, he has written widely about contemporary performance and live art for a variety of publications, including magazines and artist books, and also as part of innovative critical writing projects that foster interaction between audiences, artists, and critics. He also makes performance as a solo and collaborative artist.

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Published

10-04-2015

How to Cite

Schmidt, Theron. 2015. “The Philosopher As Stage-Hand”. Performance Philosophy 1 (1):106-8. https://doi.org/10.21476/PP.2015.1111.

Issue

Section

Performance Philosophy - Pasts, Presents, Futures