IB Theatre - Research Presentation (last assessment 2022): World Theatre Traditions List

"An introduction to the theatrical art of comic storytelling that originated in the Edo period, Rakugo sheds light on Japanese culture as a whole: its aesthetics, social relations, and learning styles. Enriched with personal anecdotes, Rakugo explicates the art's contemporary performance culture: the image, training and techniques of the storytellers, the venues where they perform, and the role of the audience in sustaining the art. Laurie Brau inquires into how this comic art form participates in the discourse of heritage, serving as a symbol of the Edo culture, while continuing to appeal to Japanese today."--Publisher.

Guiding us through a millennium of Chinese shadow theater history, with a particular focus on the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Chen harnesses her versatility and expertise in the fields of drama, history, popular culture, ethnography, and linguistics to pre "An important book for what it tells us about the history of society and the arts in China. The social themes are woven into the artistic and literary and Chen includes coverage of the other performing arts and an extensive history of the mask in China. Most compelling is the discussion of gender, the rich images and motifs associated with female warriors, and the role of women in upholding or subverting the value system of their cultures. - Publisher

This work describes in detail the traditional music and dance of northern Thailand—the area of the former Lanna kingdom and its legacy. The author has researched and performed the various musical instruments individually and in ensembles in Thailand and the United States. This book is invaluable for serious students of Thai music, as well as for the many visitors from abroad who visit Chiang Mai and its environs every year, enabling them to understand and appreciate better the various traditional dances and music encountered during their stay. Numerous photographs accompany informative text that covers eight of the most common dances, more than fourteen khon muang instruments, and the eight primary ensemble traditions of the region. National, regional, and local events, such as Spirit Dances, are also highlighted to reveal the wealth of vibrant musical activity found throughout the region.