Why "The Anthropologists" ?
Today, February 16, 2023, is Anthropology Day!
The Anthropologists was founded in 2008, named for the primary definition of anthropology: the study of people in time and space. This defined our most essential ingredients: an ensemble of actors and a director/writer who wanted to study people in different places and time, using those two fundamental elements as storytelling tools.
We wanted theatre that made sense of the most pressing issues of our time, theatre that embraced complex characters who weren’t often seen onstage, theatre that shortened the distance between people - be that historical or geographical.
Rather than start with an already written script, we began creating theatrical works using source material.
Our earliest endeavor, in 2007, sought to challenge a famous explorer’s mythological status, using text pulled directly from his journals (The Christopher Columbus Project). From there we realized that our greatest potential lay in looking for the voices of those who were not a part of the historical record. People who had been intentionally excluded or lost in the footnotes. In 2009, using newspaper reports, memoir, recipes and scant photographic archives, we told the story of immigrant women on the Lower East Side rioting for lower food prices in 1917 (Give Us Bread).
I recently found a piece of text I’d saved years ago, from a blog entry on ethnography (a type of qualitative study used in anthropology):
“Anthropologists are fascinated by what inspires, motivates, structures, influences and inhibits people and social systems. They want to understand performances, rituals, mythologies, genders, codes, interactions, spaces, places, systems and more.” (source unknown)
This seemed to me a brilliant description of theatre! This was, and continues to be, the driving force behind our own artistic inquiry.
Over the years, we’ve continued to gather source material - cultural artifacts, scientific research, first-hand testimonies, photographic archives and more. Using physical theatre techniques, we bring these research archives to life, unearthing hidden stories. Through live performance we grapple with difficult questions, creating space for contemplation and action. Our guiding questions are:
Can we use source material to challenge our own assumptions?
Can we use research to broaden or break dominant narratives?
Can we use archival materials to better understand our present?
These questions are rich and complicated and continue to evolve the art and artmaking itself.
This year, we are forging a partnership with the American Anthropological Association. Their motto -- “Advancing Knowledge, Solving Human Problems.” -- is, I think, a beautiful counterpoint for our own motto, "Where Art Meets Action." Thanks to the vision of Executive Director Ed Liebow, we have co-created a fellowship position for an anthropologist-in-residence at our theatre company.
We are thrilled by this possibility to deepen our research practice and expand what dramaturgy for new plays can look like. We hope you'll continue to follow us on this journey. We'll be announcing ways to connect with our anthropologist-in-residence soon!
Image credit: American Anthropological Association
When the Deadlines Pile Up: A Practical Survival Guide for Nursing Students Drowning in Paperwork
There is a particular kind of tiredness that only nursing students know. It is not simply the Pro Nursing writing services ache of standing for a full clinical shift or the mental fog that follows a night of studying pharmacology. It is the tiredness of knowing that after all of that, there is still a reflective journal waiting, a care plan with a Friday deadline, and a research paper that has not yet moved past the title page. The writing never stops, and it arrives on top of everything else the program demands. If this feels familiar, you are not alone, and you are not failing.…
Mastering MSN Writing Services: A Pathway to Competency-Based Success
MSN University has carved a niche in higher education with its focus on flexibility, professional relevance, and MSN Writing Services competency-based learning. Central to this model are MSN Writing Services—structured evaluations designed not just to measure knowledge but to ensure that students can apply what they’ve learned in real-world contexts. Unlike traditional exams that often reward memorization, MSN’s approach prioritizes skills mastery, continuous improvement, and career applicability. In this article, we will break down how MSN Writing Services work, why they are different from conventional tests, and how students can thrive under this model.
The Core of MSN Writing Services
At MSN, assessments are the primary measure of student achievement. Each program…
Great post! Pilates in Mui Ne is a wonderful way to improve flexibility, build strength, and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Thanks for sharing these helpful insights!
Data Security and Confidentiality Issues in Online Course Outsourcing
The expansion of online education has created new take my class for me online opportunities and challenges for students, educators, and service providers. Among these challenges, data security and confidentiality have emerged as critical concerns, particularly in the context of online course outsourcing. Online course outsourcing refers to the practice of delegating academic tasks—such as assignments, projects, or entire courses—to third-party providers who offer specialized support. While these services can help students manage heavy workloads, meet deadlines, and navigate complex coursework, they also involve the sharing of sensitive personal and academic information. Ensuring the protection of this data is essential to maintaining trust, complying with legal requirements, and preventing potential ethical or…
Why Reusable 3D Assets Can Support Long-Term Digital Growth
Digital Content Should Deliver Value Beyond Its First Use
Businesses often invest heavily in creating digital content for a particular campaign, product launch, or online store update. Once the immediate objective has been achieved, however, many of those assets receive little further attention. Product photographs remain buried in folders, promotional graphics become outdated, and carefully produced visual materials may never be used again. This pattern creates an ongoing demand for new content, even when a company already possesses resources that could support future projects.
Reusable three-dimensional assets offer another way to approach digital content. Rather than creating a separate model for every marketing activity, businesses can develop digital representations that serve…