Politics of Performance: Neoliberalism and the Logics of Racial Disposability in Performing Arts Programming

• In Event: Democratic Purpose of Higher Education in the Context of Neoliberalism

Abstract

Using qualitative developmental evaluation methods and a critical narrative analytical approach, this paper interrogates whether and how discourses of neoliberalism, racial disposability and essentialism undercut the stated mission of a campus-based 'Diversity and Inclusion'-themed performing arts initiative. As education theorist Henry Giroux notes, the performing arts function as sites of cultural (re)production with the potential to either reify or disrupt hegemonic narratives about social values and personal/collective identities. Findings suggest that even experienced and well-intentioned co-curricular event planners must take care to critically examine underlying implications and assumptions surrounding the marketing and 'consumption' of their events in order to avoid repeating oppressive, marginalizing, and even violent narratives.

Authors

• Alicia C. Dowd, The Pennsylvania State University

• Ali Watts, Pennsylvania State University

• Branden D. Elmore, University of Maryland - College Park