Street performer

A street performer is one who performs in any kind of theatrical performance that is staged on a street, or similar outdoor area (piazza, square, etc.).

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It is traditionally distinguished from busking by virtue of the style of performing—someone doing something for people to watch or listen to as they walk by (human statue, musician, etc.) is a busker (also known as a "walk by" act) whereas someone doing a structured theatrical performance designed to hold a crowd from the beginning to the end is a street performer (also known as a "circle show,") from the circle shape the audience makes).

Related Topics:
Busking - Human statue - Musician - Circle show - Audience

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Street performing is arguably the oldest form of theatre in existence, most mainstream entertainment mediums can be traced back to origins in street performing. More recently performers who, a hundred years ago, would have made their living working in variety theatres, music halls and in vaudeville, now often perform professionally on the many well-known street performance areas throughout the world.

Related Topics:
Theatre - Variety theatre - Music hall - Vaudeville

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In the last thirty years a healthy global community of professional street performers has developed, performing their acts at the many street theatre festivals around the world. These acts are often characterised by use of the more visual performing arts (such as juggling, unicyling, clowning, magic, dance, acrobatics, etc.) as they play best to audiences who might not all speak the same language. They might well also involve broad comedy, improvisation and audience participation.

Related Topics:
Juggling - Unicyling - Clowning - Magic - Dance - Acrobatics

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One of the most interesting points about modern street theatre is its unique sociopolitical place. People who might not have ever been to, or been able to afford to go to the "legitimate" theatre can watch a street show, by virtue of where the shows take place, their audience is made up of anyone and everyone who wants to watch. If an audience member can't afford it, then it's free.

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Professional street performers earn their money by asking for contributions in the hat (or "bottling") at the end of the show. A lot of people walk away without paying, but if the show is good, then enough people will voluntarily give enough money for the performer to make a living. It is this honesty between performer and audience that makes street theatre a valuable cultural asset to any modern city.

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