What is Performance Richard Schechner ~ Performance Studies : An Introduction , Chapter Two 25-51 Main Argument ~ 'To Perform' can be interpreted in many ways here Schechner suggests that everything is a performance raising the question of what is self as he states he believes that there are 'many mes' ~ These performances derive from restored behaviour likening acting as a childhood being a rehearsal for adulthood and therefore a theatrical production is heightened 'restored restored behaviour'. Also 'is' performance is seen in a theatrical sense bound by social, contextual and historical reasons where as anything can be seen 'as' a performance. ~ This restored behaviour is 'the key process in performing' meaning that we take a daily action and repeat it but each is in a different situation and in different company therefore feigning individuality of action, meaning that performance is 'action, interaction and relation' both on stage and in everyday life. ~ You can perform in many roles throughout your lifetime as by playing a 'life role' i.e. a parent is another role to play in the constant performance Schechner claims everyday life to be. This is a radical and challenging interpretation to the question 'What is Performance' as it raises the troubling ontological questions of existence such as is there a self? Are we individuals? As well as other questions such as when do we begin performing and do we still perform when were alone. The main functions of performance are also stated ~ enterainment ~beauty ~to heal ~to change or mark identity ~ foster to make community ~ to teach/persuade ~ to deal with the sacred or demonic. However while performance does surround these issues but it can never send out one individual message due to the human nature of subjectivity meaning that as opposed to portraying one message or goal i.e to persuade theatre is exploratory and explores themes contradicting this argument,