performances

A performance refers to a live presentation of artistic, dramatic, or athletic activity delivered to an audience. It encompasses theatre, music, dance, opera, performance art, comedy, circus, sports events, ceremonial rites, and spoken-word or read-aloud traditions. Performances are typically characterized by live execution, time-bound structure, and the interpretive choices of practitioners.

A performance involves performers, a repertoire or script, a venue, and production elements such as direction, choreography, design, lighting, and sound. Rehearsal and improvisation may shape the final form. The audience's presence and reaction influence timing and interpretation; performances are often reproduced or adapted across venues.

Historically, performances arose from ritual and storytelling; classical theatre and concert practices developed in Europe and Asia; the 20th century saw the emergence of performance art challenging conventional boundaries. In the modern era, live streaming and recorded formats broaden access but may affect the sense of immediacy and exclusivity.

Critical reception, audience attendance, and awards gauge success. Documentation, such as scripts, video recordings, and programs, helps preservation and study. Ethical and practical concerns include rights, cultural sensitivity, accessibility for disabled audiences, safety, and inclusion.

Performances contribute to cultural life and economies through venues, festivals, and tourism; funding often combines public subsidies, sponsorship, and ticket revenue.