Value in Autobiographical Presentations

Autobiographical writing and performing involves presenting oneself or another, from original words of the one presented. These personal communications may be from interviews or oral histories and/or from letters, journals, diaries, or written autobiographies. Writing and performing autobiography, thus defined, involves one person presenting the personal words or writings of himself, herself, or of another. Autobiographical forms would include letters, journals, diaries, memoirs, confessions, oral histories, and written autobiographies.

Autobiographical writing and performing does not necessarily involve writing and performing biography, which emphasizes the recounting of objective, external events and experiences of another. Rather, the focus autobiographical writing and performing is on subjective questions, struggles, and representations of self-biography, self-definition, or self-representation of the writer/performer himself/herself or of the words and life of the individuals being presented. Furthermore, stories and performances of autobiography are not necessarily linear, chronological, or one-dimensional. They can be presentations of associated montage or diverse collage images about multiple facets of human personality and identity. Finally, such research, writing, and performing can be used in many academic subject areas to enhance cognitive and social learning.

Writing and performing autobiography is uniquely beneficial, educational, and therapeutic for both writers and performers and for their audiences. It facilitates valuable insights and skills for writers/performers. As it involves a close study of history and aggressive research from first-hand sources, it encourages studying to accurately present history. It facilitates understanding of literature, psychology, sociology etc. Providing insight into cultural dynamics, such as that of gender, race, and ethnicity, it encourages understanding, compassion, and empathy. Challenging stereotypical images, it discourages hasty judgments, based on simplistic understandings of others. Evidence supports the idea that through its role modeling effect, writing and performing autobiography may influence achievement motivation in audiences. Further, it encourages and builds confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills. Finally, it requires careful study of character, crafted writing skills, careful selection of performance frames, perceptive consideration of non-verbal communication, selective blocking of movement, attentive study of voice, and effective engagement of audiences.

Autobiographical stories can easily and effectively be performed for distance audiences. Performances of autobiography can be especially powerful and therapeutic over videoconference equipment, as they can uniquely facilitate open communication, even about potentially volatile or painful topics, in what seems like an atmosphere of anonymity. One-person, autobiographical productions can easily be performed for distance or on-site audiences in schools, museums, and cultural or historical centers.