Performance

A performance is an exciting way to share entertainment with others. It can be a play, a concert, or any special show that people come together to watch and enjoy. Think of it like when your school puts on a play or a music recital—everyone works together to create something fun and memorable for the audience.

Performance also means doing a task or completing a job. For example, when a team of athletes plays a game, their performance is how well they do during the match. Whether it’s acting, singing, dancing, or even solving a difficult problem, a good performance shows skill, practice, and dedication.

People have been giving performances for thousands of years, from ancient storytelling to modern movies. They help us feel all kinds of emotions, learn new things, and bring communities together. So the next time you watch a show or see someone doing something well, you’re seeing a wonderful performance in action!

Management science

In the workplace, job performance is about what a person is expected to do in their role. There are two types of job performance: task and contextual. Task performance is about doing the main duties of a job, which depends on skills and thinking ability. Contextual performance is about extra, helpful actions that are not always listed in job descriptions but show good values and support the workplace culture.

Arts

In performing arts, a performance is an event where a performer or group of performers show one or more works of art to an audience. In music and drama, this is often called a "play." Performers usually have rehearsals before the show to practice.

A good performance depends on how skilled and knowledgeable the performer is. It also describes how an actor presents their role. Solo performances can include a mime artist, comedian, conjurer, magician, or other types of entertainers.

Aspects of performance art

Another kind of performance that became popular in the early 20th century is performance art. It started with groups like Dada and Russian constructivism, who focused on creative poetry readings and live paintings for audiences. Performance art can be planned or completely made up on the spot, and sometimes includes people watching taking part.

In the 1950s, artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning introduced abstract expressionism. They used a style called action painting, where the way they moved while painting was just as important as the painting itself. Artists often filmed their work, like in the short film Jackson Pollock 51 (1951), showing Pollock dripping paint onto a big canvas.

In France, Situationists led by Guy Debord mixed art with political ideas to create surprising everyday actions. In New York, artists John Cage and Allan Kaprow created events called happenings. These special, one-time performances let the audience join in chaotic and spontaneous acts, challenging old ideas about art.

In Japan, the Gutai group led by Yoshihara Jiro and others used body movements to turn art materials into living performances. One famous example is Kazuo Shiraga’s Challenging Mud (1955), where the artist rolled in mud, using their body as a tool to create art.

Some performances also explored important ideas about society and roles. For example, Valie Export, an Austrian artist, performed "Tap and Touch Cinema" in 1968 in Vienna, inviting people to touch part of her body to talk about how women are shown in films. Adrian Piper walked in New York City with her outfit painted white and a sign that said "wet paint," aiming to draw attention to unseen social and racial issues.

Performance state

A performance state is a calm mental place where you feel confident and in control. In this state, you don’t feel afraid, and you can focus well on what you’re doing. It feels easy and natural, like time and space change a little. To reach this state, it helps to stay motivated, think positively, and practice just the right amount — too much practice can actually make things harder.

When people perform, especially in front of others, their hearts can beat faster. This happens before they start, during their performance, and even a little after. This is true for many kinds of performances, not just acting. Some studies show that having more people watch can make this feeling stronger. Besides a faster heartbeat, performers might also sweat more and feel other body changes.