John Scott- Ritual vs. Performance

This week we discussed the difference between ritual and performance. Ritual is something that we do for ourselves or for God. Performance is something that we do for others. What is the main difference? Ritual would be the songwriting that takes place. It is special, intimate and only involves those participating in its construction. Performance would be playing that song in a concert and people are simply listening. The question becomes what is the line between ritual and performance? Can an artist be playing a concert and it become a ritual? When the crowd is dancing and is not watching but engaging the music with either dance or singing is this still just a performance? It is my opinion that a performance occurs when people are watching and investigating. The spectators are using their minds not their emotions. They are not engaging the ritual, but simply studying and investigating it. When the spectators become participants the performance becomes a ritual for they are apart. The spectators stand outside the ritual during a performance and can be removed from the scenario without affecting the ritual. When the disappearance of the spectators affects the ritual itself, this is a complete ritual.

Ritual and performance are not superior to each other but just different and used for different purposes. It is important to have both at certain times. Performance is needed for explanation why ritual is important for experience.