The Ethno-Actor: Encompassing the Intricacies and Challenges of Character Creation in Ethnotheatre

Abstract

This article addresses a current gap in the research of ethnotheatre productions, specifically involving the role of the actor. Actor coaching and character creation varies so vastly from traditional theatre that the role of the actor is changed. The author proposes a new term to encapsulate the role: ethno-actor. The ethno-actor is challenged to create a portrayal that maintains the dignity of and respect for the interviewee while maintaining room for new discovery of knowledge and understanding. The ethno-actor is charged with the ability to have empathy for the person/role they perform in order to truthfully render the performance of the individual. The main difference between traditional acting and ethno-acting is that more attention is paid to ethical considerations, aesthetic challenges, and empathy-based creation (faithful rendering) throughout the character creation process.