Music as Performance Method: “The Score” in Experimental Performance

Abstract

This article answers Philip Auslander’s call for theatre and performance scholars to take music seriously as an object of study. The study also extends that call by considering music as a performance method in experimental work. Specifically, the author offers an analysis of her own practice in a performance she created entitled “The Life and Times of King Kong” as a way to continue this conversation. Drawing on popular notions of a film’s score, the author offers multiple possibilities for including original music in live performance. Given the growing accessibility and interest in digital-electronic music making, this timely article encourages others to consider including original music in their productions. It ends with a practical list of possibilities for the use of original music in live performance.

Keywords

music experimental performance King Kong score

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