How do professional performing artists perceive their identity and its formation in relation to the performing art?

Abstract

This study explores professional performers' identity and identity formation in relation to their performing art. It seeks to understand the place the art holds in performers' identity. I used a social and psycho-social theoretical framework, with a qualitative narrative research method. Five professional performers from different areas of performance were interviewed. The results were presented in the form of narrations. It was clear from the discussion how performers' identity is largely based on social contributors and is mainly a vocational identity. Their 'public self' is dominant creating an imbalance between their 'I' and 'Me'; possibly leading to dysfunctions in other spheres of their lives like family.