Performing in Community

​About twice a week, I strap my guitar on my back and head to a local memory care unit, where I volunteer to lead sing-alongs. At first glance, I might seem like the performer and they the audience, but on a deeper level, we are all performers. As I sing, they clap, tap their feet, and often sing along. Together, we co-create the performance. We are not just subjects of our own experience; we are also "superjects" for one another, influencing and shaping the experiences of those around us. Our time together is a moment of community and co-creativity. It’s a small-scale representation of how process philosophy views the cosmos—a dynamic, relational process where every action, interaction, and moment contributes to the ongoing creation of something greater than itself. This realization has led me to think that the performing arts might illuminate other aspects of process philosophy, and vice versa.

The relational and dynamic nature of process philosophy finds expression across various performing arts. In theatre, actors and audiences engage in a shared experience, where each performance is unique and shaped by their interaction. Dance exemplifies the fluidity of life, with each movement responding to the music, the environment, and the energy of both dancers and observers. Music, as in my sing-alongs, becomes a collective creation, where each note and rhythm are co-created by the performer and the listeners, who participate through their reactions, emotions, and sometimes even voices. Improvisational comedy relies heavily on the relational interplay between performers and the audience, with each joke or scene evolving from the spontaneous and often unpredictable interactions between participants.
​
These examples illustrate how the performing arts serve as powerful reflections of process philosophy, where every action and interaction contributes to a larger, ongoing creation that is more than the sum of its parts. Through the performing arts, we catch a glimpse of the dynamic, interconnected process that characterizes both artistic expression and the cosmos itself.

- Jay McDaniel

Points of Connection between
Process Philosophy and the Performing Arts

​Creativity and Novelty

Process Thought: Central to process philosophy is the idea that creativity is the fundamental reality of the universe. Every moment offers new possibilities, with novelty constantly emerging as the world evolves.

Performing Arts: The performing arts are inherently creative, with each performance offering something new and unique, even when the same piece is performed multiple times. This theme underscores the importance of spontaneity, improvisation, and the fresh interpretation that performers bring to their art, making each live performance a creative act that contributes to the ongoing process of becoming.

Pure Potentials

Process Thought: Pure potentials in process philosophy refer to abstract possibilities that can be actualized in the world. These are qualities or forms, such as colors, shapes, or emotions, that exist as potentialities until they are realized in actual occasions of experience.

Performing Arts: In the performing arts, pure potentials can be seen as the latent forms that artists bring into reality through their performances. A piece of music, a dance, or a theatrical performance can be viewed as the actualization of these potentials, where abstract concepts like rhythm, harmony, or character are realized in a tangible, sensory experience. This theme underscores the creative power of the arts to manifest pure potentials into lived experiences.

Propositions as Lures for Feeling

Process Thought: Propositions in process philosophy are not just abstract statements but are understood as lures for feeling. They are potential ways of understanding or experiencing the world that attract entities toward certain possibilities of realization.

Performing Arts: In the performing arts, propositions can be seen in the way a performance invites the audience and performers to engage with certain ideas, emotions, or interpretations. A play, for instance, might propose a particular perspective on a social issue, luring the audience into a deeper emotional and intellectual engagement with the theme. This theme highlights the role of the arts in shaping and directing feelings, leading to new ways of experiencing and understanding reality.

Prehension and Feeling

Process Thought: Prehension in process philosophy refers to the way entities grasp and respond to the world around them. It's a process of feeling and integrating aspects of other entities into one’s own experience, forming the basis of all relationships and interactions.

Performing Arts: In the performing arts, prehension can be seen in the way performers and audiences alike grasp and integrate the emotions, themes, and energies of a performance. Whether it's an actor embodying a character's emotional depth or an audience member resonating with a piece of music, this concept highlights the deep, often non-verbal connection that is central to the artistic experience. This theme emphasizes how performances are not just observed but deeply felt, with each participant actively engaging in the creation of meaning through their responses.

Contrasts as Formative of Harmony

Process Thought: Contrasts are vital in process philosophy as they contribute to the formation of harmony. The tension and difference between contrasting elements are what give rise to a harmonious whole, whether in an experience or a physical process.

Performing Arts: The performing arts often rely on contrasts—between light and shadow, sound and silence, movement and stillness—to create a harmonious and impactful experience. Whether through the juxtaposition of different characters in a play, the interplay of various musical instruments, or the dynamic contrasts in a dance performance, this theme underscores how the arts use contrasts to form a cohesive and meaningful whole, mirroring the way harmony is achieved in the broader context of becoming.

Relationality and Interconnectedness

Process Thought: Process philosophy emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things. Every entity is shaped by its relationships with others, and these relationships are fundamental to its identity and experience.

Performing Arts: In the performing arts, relationality is key—whether it's the relationship between actors on stage, the connection between performers and the audience, or the interaction between different artistic elements like music, movement, and visuals. This theme highlights how performances are collaborative efforts that emerge from the dynamic interplay of various relationships, creating a holistic and interdependent experience.

Process and Becoming

Process Thought: Reality is understood as a process of becoming, where everything is in a state of flux, constantly evolving and changing. There is no fixed or static reality; instead, life is a continuous unfolding of possibilities.

Performing Arts: The performing arts embody this theme of process and becoming. A performance is not a fixed product but an event that unfolds in real-time, shaped by the energy, emotions, and responses of both the performers and the audience. This theme highlights the ephemeral and transformative nature of live performance, where each moment is a new creation, never to be repeated in exactly the same way.

Temporal Experience and the Flow of Time

Process Thought: Time is not a linear sequence of isolated moments but an ongoing flow where past, present, and future are interconnected. Each moment carries the past into the present and opens up possibilities for the future.

Performing Arts: The performing arts are deeply rooted in the experience of time, as performances unfold in a temporal sequence that carries both the performers and the audience through a journey. This theme emphasizes how the arts can capture and reflect the fluidity of time, creating moments of anticipation, reflection, and transformation within the temporal flow of a performance.

Embodiment and Physicality

Process Thought: In process philosophy, experience is not abstract but deeply embodied. Our bodies are integral to our experience of the world, and physical sensation plays a crucial role in how we interact with reality.

Performing Arts: The performing arts are inherently embodied practices, whether in dance, theatre, or music. The physical presence and movements of performers are central to the art form, creating a visceral connection with the audience. This theme underscores the importance of the body in artistic expression and how physicality is a vital component of conveying meaning and emotion in the performing arts.

Emotion and Aesthetic Experience

Process Thought: Emotions are seen as vital aspects of experience, deeply intertwined with our perception and interaction with the world. Aesthetic experiences, in particular, are highly valued for their ability to evoke deep emotional responses and connect us with the beauty of the world.

Performing Arts: The performing arts are powerful vehicles for evoking emotions, whether through the storytelling of theatre, the expressive movement of dance, or the emotive power of music. This theme highlights the role of emotion in creating meaningful and transformative experiences for both performers and audiences, emphasizing how art can touch the deepest parts of our being.

Participation and Co-Creation

Process Thought: Reality is co-created by the interactions of all entities. In this view, God is not a distant, controlling force but a participant in the ongoing process of creation, inviting all beings to contribute to the unfolding of the world.

Performing Arts: In the performing arts, the concept of co-creation is evident in the collaborative nature of performance. Every participant—actors, dancers, musicians, directors, designers, and even the audience—contributes to the creation of the artistic experience. This theme encourages a view of performance as a shared, participatory event where meaning is generated through collective engagement and interaction.

Open-Endedness and Improvisation

Process Thought: The future is open and undetermined, filled with potential that can be shaped by the choices and actions of individuals. Improvisation and adaptability are essential to navigating this open-ended reality.

Performing Arts: The performing arts often incorporate elements of improvisation and open-endedness, where the outcome is not entirely predetermined, and performers must respond in the moment. This theme resonates with the idea that art is a living process, where creativity and adaptability are key to engaging with the ever-changing flow of performance.

Transformation and Healing

Process Thought: Transformation is a key aspect of process philosophy, where change is not only inevitable but also a source of growth, renewal, and healing. The idea that the universe is constantly evolving towards greater complexity and harmony is central to this view.

Performing Arts: The performing arts have the power to transform both performers and audiences. Through catharsis, emotional expression, and shared experience, theatre, dance, and music can bring about personal and communal healing, reflecting the transformative nature of reality itself. This theme underscores the potential of the arts to enact change and foster resilience.

Community and Belonging

Process Thought: Community is foundational in process philosophy, as relationships and interactions are seen as the basis of existence. The sense of belonging and mutual support within a community is essential for flourishing.

Performing Arts: The performing arts often serve as a gathering point for communities, creating a shared space where people come together to experience, reflect, and celebrate. This theme highlights the role of the arts in building and sustaining community, fostering a sense of connection and shared identity.

God as Deep Listening

Process Thought: In process philosophy, God is often understood as the "fellow sufferer who understands," deeply attuned to the experiences of all beings. God is envisioned as engaging in profound, empathetic listening, feeling the feelings of each and all, and responding with care and compassion. This divine listening is not passive but actively shapes the ongoing process of becoming, guiding the world toward greater harmony and creativity.

Performing Arts: The concept of deep listening can be paralleled in the performing arts, where performers must be deeply attuned to their own emotions, the responses of their fellow performers, and the energy of the audience. This theme emphasizes how the arts can embody and reflect this divine quality of deep listening, creating a space where every emotion and experience is honored and felt. Just as God listens and responds to the world, performers and audiences engage in a shared experience of listening and feeling, contributing to the creation of a meaningful and connected artistic experience.

God as Creative Lure

Process Thought: In process philosophy, God is understood as the ultimate source of creativity and novelty, continually luring the world toward new possibilities. God does not control or dictate outcomes but gently guides all entities toward realizing their potential, inviting them into a future filled with creative possibilities. This divine lure is an ongoing, dynamic process that encourages growth, transformation, and the unfolding of new realities.

Performing Arts: The idea of God as a creative lure resonates with the performing arts, where creativity and the pursuit of new expressions are central. In every performance, artists are drawn toward fresh interpretations, innovative techniques, and the exploration of new ideas. This theme highlights how performers, like all entities in process thought, respond to a creative lure that guides their artistic expression. Each act of performance becomes a response to this divine invitation, leading to the creation of something novel and unique, reflecting the endless possibilities that God offers to the world.