Ethnographic Performance in an all Boys School

Abstract

This is an account of an ethnographic performance project based on the expression of masculinities in drama at an all boys school in Melbourne. The researcher details work on two ethnographic performances based on his data, one by the researcher and a second by senior students in the setting. The researcher asserts that the act of writing an ethnographic performance is akin to the act of analysing, and presenting ethnographic data in this way is a highly effective narrative form for drama educators. The ethnographic performances at the heart of the study examine the range of multiple masculinities expressed in and through drama at years nine, ten and eleven at the school and ways in which they uphold and/or contest the hegemonies of this particular culture.

Keywords:

• ETHNOGRAPHIC PERFORMANCE
• GENDER
• MASCULINITY
• SINGLE GENDER SCHOOLS
• QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
• REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
• IDENTITY
• STUDENT CENTRED DRAMA

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard Sallis

Richard Sallis is a lecturer in Drama education (Primary and Secondary) at the University of Melbourne. He is the President of Drama Australia and the Director of Projects of Drama Victoria. He is a co-author of the ‘Acting Smart’ textbooks for senior drama/theatre students. His research interests are drama and masculinity and ethnographic performance drama.