Acting Presidential: Teaching the U.S. Presidency Through Theater

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  In Virtual Poster Session: Virtual Poster Session: Political Science Education

Abstract

While novels, films, and popular culture in general have received ample attention from political science instructors, theater has been less frequently discussed as an alternative medium to explore political concepts and issues. This article introduces theater as an entry point for students to better understand the different stages and dynamics of U.S. presidential elections. It is suggested that theater lends itself as a particularly useful medium to grasp the performative aspects of U.S. presidential campaigns and elections. Specifically, it focuses on the primary stage of elections with Beau Willomon's "Farragut North" (2008), on the National Convention through the lens of Gore Vidal's "The Best Man" (1960), and election night from the perspective of Christopher Shinn's "Now or Never" (2008).

Author

• Claudia Franziska Bruehwiler Haeusermann, University of St. Gallen