The Microsociology of the Theater Performance: An Inquiry About Interaction Rituals and Flow Experience on Stage During a Physically Distanced Theater Performance

Despite the growing academic interest in the effect of the lack of physical co-presence amongst an audience in cultural experiences, much uncertainty still exists about interaction rituals amongst performers in cultural experiences where the audience is expected to be more passive. This qualitative microsociological research aims to answer the question: How are interaction rituals and the flow experience of theater performers influenced by physical distancing measures? Twelve in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with theater performers who have performed during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study focuses on the experience of theater performers in different situations, amongst which traditional end stage theater, theater-in-the-round, site-specific theater, live stream theater and cyberart theater. A better understanding of interaction rituals on a theater stage was established by analyzing the similarities and meaningful dissimilarities of their experiences and how they deal differently with a corresponding challenge. Overall, this study has revealed that the physical distancing measures have a significant influence on theater performances. They affect the occurrence of the flow experience and favor a personal approach towards the audience over a collective approach. The research has shown that because of the recent change in generalized culture, the ritual practice of the theater performance is actively adjusted in order to be successful. The findings of this study have a number of important implications for future practice. For traditional fourth wall theater productions, the audience is best seen as an outsider, and if the performers are able to focus on their inter-acting on stage, they can still have successful interaction rituals amongst each other. Flat-floored theater-in-the-round seems most favorable in this new situation. The audience is addressed directly and the audience can be approached as individuals on the first row. Additionally recording a traditional end-stage theater performance is like a poorly executed movie. Performances need to be designed specifically for the medium which makes them more visual and technical.