Blood, Sweat & Theory

Book excerpt: Practice-based research is the default approach to postgraduate activity in Drama, Theatre and Performance. Yet it is only recently beginning to yield any rigorous theory-based guides for researchers, practitioners, supervisors and mentors. As a major contribution to the field this book is a vital 'How To' (and 'How Not To') guide, which identifies the features, attitudes, principles and skills of practice-based research across a range of countries and contexts, forms and applications...including a number of successful PhD projects. Blood, Sweat & Theory reviews research-informed practice and practice-informed research in sections which: analyse key concepts • locate practice-based research within historical, aesthetic and educational settings • challenge received ideas of practice as thesis • distinguish research from reflection and feelings from findings • push practice-based research into new areas of critical inquiry • suggest strategies from first proposal through to submission. The book includes extensively written case studies of projects from Hala Al-Yamani, Annette Arlander, Johannes Birringer, Elena Cologni, Robert Germay, Helka-Maria Kinnunen, Yves Knockaert, Lee Miller, Felix Noble, Allan Owens, Helen Paris, Yoni Prior, Leena Rouihainen, and Joanne 'Bob' Whalley.