Politics is a very structured form of storytelling, with every word and gesture calculated to persuade and inspire. Theatre makers have all the skills to succeed in this highly performative profession. Blair Nodelman explains.
I grew up with a saying: “If you can’t make it in show business, you go into politics.” While there is some truth to that, ultimately it just illustrates that politics is inherently performative. It requires carefully crafted messaging, a deep understanding of perceived perspectives, and the ability to remain flexible and switch tactics at a moment’s notice. It’s made up of meticulously chosen words, meant to inspire and provoke, and body language that welcomes and dissuades. It’s a calculated method of storytelling—the devil lies in the details of each political act. These performative elements are often overlooked by audiences, but some people, like theatremakers, understand them all too well.
As theatre artists, we have an awareness of the details of our environment, understanding how each creative entity builds upon each other. While the specifics—such a slight movement from an actor or a specific costume piece—may seem inconsequential individually, together they deliver the story of the play, working in a perfect symphony to move an audience. Politics requires this same awareness, envisioning how... Keep reading on Howlround.
I grew up with a saying: “If you can’t make it in show business, you go into politics.” While there is some truth to that, ultimately it just illustrates that politics is inherently performative. It requires carefully crafted messaging, a deep understanding of perceived perspectives, and the ability to remain flexible and switch tactics at a moment’s notice. It’s made up of meticulously chosen words, meant to inspire and provoke, and body language that welcomes and dissuades. It’s a calculated method of storytelling—the devil lies in the details of each political act. These performative elements are often overlooked by audiences, but some people, like theatremakers, understand them all too well.
As theatre artists, we have an awareness of the details of our environment, understanding how each creative entity builds upon each other. While the specifics—such a slight movement from an actor or a specific costume piece—may seem inconsequential individually, together they deliver the story of the play, working in a perfect symphony to move an audience. Politics requires this same awareness, envisioning how... Keep reading on Howlround.