Out from Under: Texts by Women Performance Artists

Book Overview

Using elements of autobiography to address such issues as religion, sex, race, family and the struggle of women to move beyond their traditional roles in society, these women integrate aspects of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559360097
• ISBN13: 9781559360098
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.4" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

A Phenomenal Feminist and Theatre Text

I first encountered "Out From Under" in a feminist theatre theory class. Since then I have read these performance texts at least a dozen times and love them more with every reading. Lenora Champagne has compiled an exceptional collection of performance texts by women from many different origins and political agendas. She includes in this compilation Karen Finley's "The Constant State of Desire," Holly Hughes' "World without End," Lenny Sack's "The Survivor and the Translator," and Beatrice Roth's "The Father." Every piece works together to illustrate the work from a highly marginalized group that must be brought to the surface for the political theatre to continue. Moreover, many of the women in this book have other books of essays, stories, and poems. After reading Karen Finley's "The Constant State of Desire," I have become obsessed with her work and respect her for her incredible achievements to the theatre and feminist world. While I read this book in a special topics class, it should be an imperative part of any introductory theatre class and a must-read for all theatre practitioners.

Helped me with my MA degree

As an MA candidate for a degree in English, I was assigned a thesis. I had a creative option but none of the genres were "speaking" to me until I picked this text up. Incredible plays. The playwrights speak to the audience and treat you like a friend they are sharing secrets with! Hughes's "Getting Over Tom" is wonderful. It is a woman's must have book. It also helped me write my own performance play for my MA thesis.

Women and performance, awesome.

I loved this book. The pieces in this book are very powerful, moving and funny. Even though it's always rewarding to see performance pieces live, these translate well into text. My favorites are by Lenora Champagne and Holly Hughes. You must read this if you're interested in theater or performance art.