Ethnotheatre: Research from Page to Stage (Qualitative Inquiry and Social Justice) - Softcover

"Johnny Saldana's book does exactly what it sets out to do: It is a hands-on guide that walks researchers across disciplines step-by-step through interpreting and representing data in an ethnodramatic format. It really is "research from page to stage." For those with little theatre experience, Saldana provides excellent suggestions for additional readings and comparisons of different types of plays. There is much merit in this book as a text for a qualitative research class or special interest class. The exercises provided are great way for students and researchers to be more reflective as they move towards ethnodrama or autoethnodrama as a new form of writing." --C. Amelia Davis, The Qualitative Report "For anyone wanting to experiment with new, theatrical modes of presentation or who is concerned with the quality of such work and the risk of good social researchers making bad art, Saldana's book provides a welcome and refreshing entree to the genre from an experienced theatre practitioner." --Qualitative Research

Ethnotheatre transforms research about human experiences into a dramatic presentation for an audience. Johnny Saldaña, one of the best-known practitioners of this research tradition, outlines the key principles and practices of ethnotheatre in this clear, concise volume. He covers the preparation of a dramatic presentation from the research and writing stages to the elements of stage production. Saldaña nurtures playwrights through adaptation and stage exercises, and delves into the complex ethical questions of turning the personal into theatre. Throughout, he emphasizes the vital importance of creating good theatre as well as good research for impact on an audience and performers. The volume includes multiple scenes from contemporary ethnodramas plus two complete play scripts as exemplars of the genre.