Richard Schechner

Richard Schechner is a University Professor and Professor of Performance Studies at New York University, recognized as one of the founders of the field of Performance Studies. His work encompasses a wide range of performance forms, including theater, ritual, dance, music, and politics, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of performative behavior as both an object of study and an active artistic practice. He established The Performance Group and East Coast Artists and has directed numerous acclaimed productions such as Dionysus in 69 and Mother Courage and Her Children. An accomplished author and editor, Schechner has published influential works including Performance Theory and Environmental Theater, with his writings translated into 18 languages. His contributions to theater have reached audiences across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, and he has conducted workshops and lectures globally. Throughout his career, he has received prestigious fellowships from organizations such as the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.