Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies
Summary
Drama, theatre and performance studies encompass a multidisciplinary inquiry into the production, reception and cultural functions of live and mediated performance. At its core lies an exploration of narrative structure, embodiment and audience engagement across historical, social and technological contexts. The field spans textual analysis of dramatic works, theoretical investigations into performativity and ritual, and practice-based research in which the act of performance itself constitutes a site of knowledge generation. Methodologies include dramaturgical critique, ethnographic observation of performance communities, archival research, and experimental staging that interrogates space, materiality and the body. Recent theoretical currents have foregrounded decolonial approaches, digital and immersive media, and performance as a mode of social intervention. Studies examine the global circulation of theatrical forms, the role of performance in public memory and identity formation, and the intersections between professional, amateur and community-based practice. Practical applications extend from innovative pedagogies and community engagement initiatives to virtual and augmented reality in performance. By bridging rigorous academic analysis with creative experimentation, the discipline illuminates the enduring human impulse to make meaning through enacted stories and collective experience.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in drama, theatre and performance studies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Practice-based research: An approach in which creative processes and performances serve as primary methods of enquiry and knowledge production.
Research-based theatre: A subset of practice-based research that uses staged performance to present, interrogate and communicate empirical findings.
Community-engaged data theatre: A methodological framework that converts data into performative scenes to facilitate participatory analysis and public deliberation.
Participatory theatre: A collaborative performance approach in which participants co-create content to reflect their lived experiences and shape the outcome.
Hybrid learning: An educational model combining synchronous face-to-face instruction with online components to support flexible and immersive training.
References
- Viewpoints/Points of View: Building a Transdisciplinary Data Theatre Collaboration in Six Scenes. Arts (2024).
- Perspectives of Hybrid Performing Arts Education in the Post-Pandemic Era: An Empirical Study in Hong Kong. Sustainability (2022).
- Migrant mothers’ creative interventions into racialized citizenship. Ethnic and Racial Studies (2017).
About these summaries
This Nature Research Intelligence Topic summary is created with the cited references and a large language model. We take care to ground generated text with facts, and have systems in place to gain human feedback on the overall quality of the process in line with our AI principles. We strive to create accurate and useful summaries for people unfamiliar with the research topic and that supports this goal. These pages are a beta release and will be updated as we learn how best to help people gain value from a research topic summary.
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.