On the idea of "presence" in contemporary theater

"Presence" is a core concept in theater which contains overlapping and conflicting connotations. In modernistic tradition which prioritizes dramatic narrative and degrades spectacles, "presence" is defined as the materialization of fictional drama, so that the audience feel that they are witnessing the real events here and now and tend to be emotionally engaged in the process. In the 1960s, under the influence of Artaud, many theater practitioners attempted to revive the theatrical aspects of theater. "Presence" thus became synonymous with contingency, spontaneity and the interaction between audience and the stage. Later on, the theories of Derrida and Baudrillard questioned the concepts of pure "presence," and pointed out the fact that "representation" is inevitable. Theater after deconstruction displays capacities to incorporate serious social concerns, theatrical energies, and postmodern techniques such as pastiche, parody and the appropriation of Mass media. It stops to shun "representation" totally and exposes the illusion of "presence" while Pursuing it. © Copyright by Foreign Literature Studies. All rights reserved.