Overview

The Performance of Body, Space, and Place offer a groundbreaking methodology for performance in the Anthropocene, addressing the spiritual and ecological crises of our time through a fusion of Indigenous knowledge and contemporary practice. This book is the culmination of 35 years of international fieldwork with Indigenous communities—including the Yup'ik and Inupiaq peoples of Alaska, the !Xuu and Khwe Bushmen of the Kalahari, the Sakha of Siberia, and the Miao of China—alongside experimental productions with Dead White Zombies in Dallas. It unfolds in three interconnected stages: Body, which emphasizes sensory presence and reconnection with the more-than-human world; Space, which critiques anthropocentric narratives and contrasts them with cosmocentric perspectives that honor the sovereignty of all beings; and Place, which explores performance as a tool for transforming modern placelessness into lived integration. Through practical exercises, theoretical insights, case studies, and field observations, the book equips practitioners to craft performances that transcend human-centered narratives and foster participatory engagement with the living world. This essential resource is ideal for artists, educators, and students in performance studies, environmental humanities, Indigenous studies, and cultural anthropology. It will resonate with anyone interested in exploring the intersection of performance, ecology, and community, offering tools to reimagine our relationship with the embodied world and the spaces we inhabit.

Full Product Details

Author:   Thomas Riccio
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Routledge
ISBN:  

9781041168010

ISBN 10:   1041168012
Pages:   472
Publication Date:   17 July 2026
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Introduction BODY Introduction Circle Creative Circle Walking Our Work Exploration Rhythm Rhythmic Movement Sticks Community of Place Balance Moving Explorations Body and Spaces Focus and Mindfulness Play Interstitials Psychophysical Trust Aggression Performing Into Spaces SPACE Introduction Narratives Space Age Cycles Language Pride and Prejudice Rhythm Cultures Sound Checking In Balance Process Observation Mimesis Gifting and Exchange Exploring Objects Character Sharing Performance Expansion Archetypes Elemental Archetypes Masks Body as Script Space and Place PLACE Introduction The Loss of Place Place Through Performance Narratives Warm-Up and Preparation Place-Making Practices Creating Performance Theoretical Frames Hallucinating Interviewing Trance Character Rehearsals Immersion, Ritual, and the Sacred Ancient Futures Case Studies List of Explorations Works Cited Index

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Author Information

Thomas Riccio is Professor of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Dallas.

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