Tactical Performance: Serious Play and Social Movements

Bogad’s latest book, Tactical Performance: The Theory and Practice of Serious Play, takes readers to the front lines of contemporary activism, offering both a detailed critical analysis of the field, as well as practical guidance in how to construct effective action. His latest offering draws heavily on case studies stemming from his extensive personal repertoire of tactical practice: he either helped found, wrote for, performed with, trained or advised (or some combination of these roles) many of the groups he discusses. [Bogad’s] first-hand experience and knowledge has translated well, giving the book significant authoritative weight. This close involvement has also allowed Bogad to entertain readers with the kind of amusing observations and anecdotes that can only come from being an insider to events… The book subsequently operates on multiple levels: as a monograph on contemporary activism, a catalogue of successful and unsuccessful tactics, and a practical guide and workbook for would-be activists… Bogad’s text provides a much-needed addition to the literature on activism as an inherently useful text that allows us to rethink effective strategies for engaging with the powerful… What makes Bogad’s contribution to this lineage distinctive is his first-hand experience with the issues he raises… The book could not be more timely. Readers will appreciate not only its sound practical guidance, but also its sense of humour.

--Contemporary Theatre Review

L.M. Bogad is Professor of political performance at the University of California at Davis. He is the author of Electoral Guerrilla Theatre: Radical ridicule and social movements, the plays Haymarket, Tahrir, COINTELSHOW: A patriot act, and Economusic: Keeping score. He is the founding director of the Center for Tactical Performance.