The Magic of Theater: Photographing a Performative Academic Career

Abstract

I discuss my efforts as a “good enough” photographer and describe the role photographs play communicating important moments from a series of ethnodramas I built about the Chicago Public Schools. I discuss my early efforts to use photography to legitimize my arts-based research practice, describe how my goals changed, and explain how I created images to communicate the energy of live theater. Building on Eisner’s theoretical work, I discuss three tensions of my photographic practice: intention versus improvisation, action versus artifice, and safety versus possibility. These tensions emphasize my limits as a photographer and the possibilities of arts-based research.

What makes a good life: using theatrical performance to enhance communication about polygenic risk scores research in patient and public involvement

“…Theatre communication is the antithesis of such carefully documented academic communication (Vanover 2021 ) and may avoid some of the known drawbacks in traditional presentation styles (Wecker 2012 ; Baker et al 2018 ). One advantage is in the sustained emotional impact, both for the researcher and the audience (Hundt et al 2019 ; Gray et al 2000 ).…”