Creating Ethnodrama: A Theatrical Approach to Research

by Joe Salvatore MFA

Overview

Filled with sample research questions, interview protocols, script excerpts, and staging tips, this book explains the "whats," "whys," and "how-tos" of using ethnodrama as a qualitative arts-based research methodology. Joe Salvatore draws on decades of experience as an ethnodramatist and educator to present his unique, ethically grounded, step-by-step approach. Readers learn how to balance artistry and research as they identify a topic and research question, recruit participants and conduct interviews, code and analyze interview data, arrange findings into a script, stage a performance, and invite an audience to view and interpret the play. Ways to assess an ethnodrama's effectiveness and impact are also addressed. Instructive features include end-of-chapter learning activities; bolded key terms and an end-of-book glossary; and suggested studies, plays, and performance pieces for further engagement.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462557714
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	07/22/2025
Series:	Qualitative Methods "How-To" Guides
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	266
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Joe Salvatore, MFA, is Clinical Professor of Educational Theatre at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University (NYU), where he teaches courses in ethnodrama, verbatim performance, community-engaged theatre, and new play development. He also serves as Vice Chair for Academic Affairs for Steinhardt's Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions. In 2017, Mr. Salvatore founded the Verbatim Performance Lab, which, under his direction, has created over 25 video and live performance projects and has facilitated outreach and education programs throughout the United States. He is a recipient of honors including the Johnny Saldaña Outstanding Professor of Theatre Education Award from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award from NYU, the Teaching Excellence Award and the Champions of Equity Gender and Trans Justice Award from the Steinhardt School, and the Dedication to Education Award from the NYU LGBTQ Student Center. Mr. Salvatore is a cluster member of the University of British Columbia’s Research-Based Theatre Collaborative, a collaborating faculty member with Arts & Health @ NYU, an advisory board member for Artists’ Literacies Institute, an alumnus of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab, and a member of the Dramatists Guild of America.

Table of Contents

1. Definitions, Contexts, and Preparations
2. Designing a Project
3. Data Collection
4. Data Analysis and Interpretation
5. Scripting: Getting Started and Basic Scripting Conventions
6. Scripting: Complex Scripting Conventions, Finding an Ending, and Drafting
7. Creating Ethnotheatre
8. Evaluating Ethnodrama
Conclusion
Appendix
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"This is a much-needed text from an internationally accomplished artist-scholar who fully understands his methodological approach. Salvatore shares an insider’s perspective on ethnodrama, demonstrating pedagogical acumen and deep knowledge of theatre as an art form. This book will benefit university students at all levels, as well as academics, artists, and individuals working with community groups. It offers a strong literature review, hands-on approaches for conducting ethnodramatic work, and numerous considerations and examples to successfully guide projects from beginning to production (and beyond). I could see using this text in my graduate courses in theatre education."—George Belliveau, PhD, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Canada

"A critical, comprehensive foundation in both the theory and praxis of ethnodrama as an interpretive method. Written in a welcoming style, this well-organized book is designed for artist-researchers, faculty in multiple disciplines, and students. The author encourages readers to learn his step-by-step, interview-based process, then 'experiment, take risks' to construct their own ethnodramas. Each chapter includes activities to help readers develop needed skills, and the book includes the process involved in moving projects from the page to performance or ethnotheatre."—Mary E. Weems, PhD, independent scholar; author of Fall and Response; coauthor of Collaborative Spirit-Writing in Everyday Black Lives

“Salvatore offers an in-depth delineation of his approach to ethnodrama as a form of arts-based research, with great influence from verbatim theatre. I would use this book in class or for workshop training. The chapters on how to develop, code, and analyze interviews are very insightful, valuable, and clearly articulated. Many mistakes will be avoided by having such a complete, in-depth framing of these processes, along with the helpful samples and examples.”—Stephen Snow, PhD, Department of Creative Arts Therapies (Emeritus), Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

"This book uniquely and extensively bridges theatre practice with qualitative research. Based on rich experience as a practitioner and scholar of ethnodrama, Salvatore emphasizes the importance of deep listening and attending to embodied expressions as part of analysis. And yet this book is very accessible. Salvatore deftly lays out his approach to ethnodrama, practically, thoroughly, and thoughtfully. This book will be useful to anyone who aims to deepen their work as an artist-researcher—including qualitative investigators interested in performance or arts processes and artists interested in extending their work toward qualitative inquiry. Highly recommended."—Julia Gray, PhD, editor of Review: An Anthology of Plays Committed to Social Justice

“This book is a deep dive into how researchers with or without theatre training can go about creating ethnodrama. It is highly accessible and leads the reader through the steps of producing ethnotheatre, from the drafting of research questions to the ethics of ethnodramatic representation. Salvatore provides in-depth examples of interview protocols and shows the reader how to transform interview transcriptions into a playscript and produce and evaluate the play.”—Joseph D. Sweet, PhD, Department of English, Theatre, and World Languages, University of North Carolina at Pembroke

From the Publisher