Cahill, LA

“The Theatrical Double Reflexivity Complex” explores the possibility of the
spectator’s presence and influence in altering the style of a theatrical
production during a performance. The author focuses on African-American
audiences in American theatre as the primary subject of this phenomenon
and claims that by incorporating their own reality into the world of the play,
the spectators can force a play to become metatheatrical regardless of the
actors’ or director’s initial intent. Beginning with the initial assumption of
what we, as theatre artists, expect from our audience, this article explores the
results of what occurs when an audience does not conform to the specific
style set forth. In doing so, this article examines the engagement of the
spectator as character and instigator by providing a new theory to the world
of metatheatrical theory – the possibility of the Theatrical Double
Reflexivity Complex

THE THEATRICAL DOUBLE REFLEXIVITY COMPLEX: HOW THE SPECTATOR CREATES METATHEATRE

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