Performance

This article is about performing arts. For other uses, see Performance (disambiguation). Performing artsMajor forms

Theatre · Music · Dance
Opera · Film
Television · Radio

Subjects

LiteratureMajor forms

Epic · Romance · Novel
Tragedy · Comedy · Drama · Satire

Media

Performance · Book

Techniques

Prose · Poetry

History and lists

Basic topics · Literary terms
History · Modern history
Books · Writers
Literary awards · Poetry awards

Discussion

Criticism · Theory · Magazines

Buskers perform in San Francisco

A performance, in performing arts, generally comprises an event in which one group of people (the performer or performers) behave in a particular way for another group of people (the audience). Sometimes the dividing line between performer and the audience may become blurred, as in the example of "participatory theatre" where audience members might get involved in the production. Singing choral music, and performing in a ballet are examples. Usually the performers participate in rehearsals beforehand. Afterwards audience members often clap, indicating appreciation. However, sometimes this rule is reversed. In Japan, the greatest compliment is complete silence.[citation needed]

Performances, for example in theatre, can take place daily, or at some other regular interval. Performances can take place at someone's house, in a subway, or even at a dollar store. Talent, on the other hand, is subjective.

Performance genres

Examples of performance genres include:

musical genres:
theatrical genres:
- play
- opera
- operetta
- ballet and other types of dance
- musical theater
other genres:
- circus acts
- performance art
- performance poetry
- busking
- magic (illusion)
- storytelling

A music performance (a concert or a recital) may take place indoors in a concert hall or outdoors in a field, and may require the audience to remain very quiet, or encourage them to sing and dance along with the music.

A performance may also describe the way in which an actor performs. In a solo capacity, it may also refer to a mime artist, comedian, conjurer, or other entertainer.