June 1999
Richard Schechner is the founder of the academic field known as performance studies. This is an interdisciplinary approach to social performances including anthropological rituals, political demonstrations, theatrical productions, and performing arts events such as dance and music. He has been a leading ground-breaker in developing a new and interdisciplinary way of viewing theatre that has evolved as the leading trend both inside and outside the academy. His books include Environmental Theatre, The Future of Rituals, Performance Theory, and Between Theatre and Anthropology.
