Crash and Burn

Abstract

This M.A. thesis is based on author Tinka Avramova’s practical research and findings from the canon of her works created at DAMU regarding how to create authentic moments on stage specifically with regards to the performer’s authenticity. The aim of this paper is to describe the conclusions regarding how to create authentic performances in regards to the performers’ authenticity through analyzing the process and results from her works. The first part includes grounds the reader in what authenticity in performance means for the author goes through her early works, Lectures From My Father and For INTELLIGENT People Only, where she describes her path of discovery to working authentically. The second part focuses mainly on Avramova’s “Identity Series,” which includes the three works: Doubting Identity, Pull My Finger, and Rockets & Bombs. The author outlines and describes her approaches and methods of working with performers to achieve authenticity and recapitulates these methods’ discovery and development. Based on her personal findings, the author mostly uses personal experience and knowledge; she also references and discusses other contemporary theatre companies that use similar approaches concerning her own work.