Week 4

Throughout the quarter thus far, the group dynamic has continued to grow stronger as we get to know each other and understand each other’s motivations and goals for this course. As one student told me in a car ride back to campus following a workshop at the Youth Center, “[the workshop] feels so human and communal… getting to know the youth has been one of my most fulfilling experiences at Stanford”. A specific example of problem solving came a few weeks ago, when one group of students was left without a youth to work with for one of the sessions. Instead of sitting back and letting the workshop move-on without them, they integrated themselves into other groups for a week, helping suggest beats, lyrics, and melodies for songs while maintaining an upbeat attitude. I think that this demonstrates the tenacity and passion that the students in this class have, as well as our commitment to forging these connections with the youth.

As far as class discussions, although we have run into some contentions based on differing beliefs about the readings/course content and their meanings, I believe that this has allowed us to invite differing perspectives into the space, which is valuable in and of itself. In the discussions in the latter half of class, we get to reflect on what the experience meant to us, as well as tie it into the readings, and this has been deeply important in getting a glimpse into the psyche of the other students, bringing us closer together. 

The group that I am working with consists of me, another Stanford student, and one youth from the center. The youth (let’s call her Natalie) came in with a full lyric write-up from the very beginning, as she is a songwriter, so my group started from a very different place than most others. We had lyrics and a general idea of a genre, so we mostly focused on melody and a backing track to the lyrics from the get-go. We have made a lot of progress, especially within the past week, and I have full confidence in our ability to make a solid song by the end of the quarter. I’m very excited to see the final outcome, and hope that my guidance is aligned with Natalie’s vision of her own song, as I am trying to enhance it, not bulldoze her ideas.

While I can’t necessarily speak for the specific progress of other groups, I can say that everyone seems to be getting into a great place for the progression of their songs. Most groups have a solid basis for their songs, some lyrics, and even some melodies, and I’m sure that, considering the progress thus far, we will have a wide range of pieces to share by the end of the quarter.

In recent class discussions, we explored the concept of performance beyond traditional theatrical contexts, examining how everyday actions and social interactions can be understood as performances. Drawing on Schechner, Goffman, and Taylor’s work, we questioned the authenticity of self-presentation and whether individuals are simply mirrors of their early influences. This raised critical questions about the extent to which our desires are truly our own or shaped by societal expectations. We considered the tension between authenticity and performance, acknowledging that while social roles may seem inauthentic, they can still reflect genuine aspects of a person’s identity when enacted from a place of personal truth.

The discussion also delved into the dynamics between performers and audiences. We examined how audience responses, such as laughter or silence, influence performers’ decisions, which bring up the concept of performer (and audience) objectives. These can be both immediate, such as evoking laughter, and broader, like prompting reflection on the nature of participation. The concept of “spect-actors” was introduced, emphasizing the active role of audiences in shaping performances. Further, we questioned whether performances even require an audience at all or if they can exist independently when performed alone.

The parallels between performance studies and anthropology were also highlighted. Both fields seek to understand human behavior, although through different mediums: anthropology through writing and performance studies through embodied acts. This comparison demonstrated how performance can serve as a lens for examining social roles, communication, and authenticity, ultimately offering a unique framework for understanding the complex nature of human interaction.

Blog post by Zadie Jean Schaffer