Staging Stigma: A Critical Examination of the American Freak Show

by Michael M. Chemers, Jim Ferris (Foreword by)

Staging Stigma is a captivating excursion into the bizarre world of the American freak show. Chemers critically examines several key moments of a performance tradition in which the truth is often stranger than the fiction. Grounded in meticulous historical research and cultural criticism, Chemers analysis reveals untold stories of freaks that will change the way we understand both performance and disability in America. This book is a must-have for serious students of freakery or anyone who is curious about the hidden side of American theatrical history.

Genres: Nonfiction

168 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2008

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent work, presented multiple and often contradictory theories and interpretations of disability, agency, performance, and freak shows deftly drawing not just from modern scholars but contemporary first hand accounts from performers, managers, and audiences. Chemers refuses to simplify the history of the freak show and in doing so presents a fascinating and contradictory history and analysis.
It's slightly outside the purview of the text, however, I do think a bit more attention should have been paid to the inherently exploitative nature of work in general. Chemers briefly mentions the similarity of the later conflicts between performers and disability rights advocates and (second-wave) feminists and sex-workers which I think is a really poignant comparison to be further explored. He also briefly touches upon the idea that under capitalism, there is a limited amount of freedom/choice for almost everyone, not just people with disabilities but I think it's something that required further examination considering how much space chapter 5 dedicated to the debate between coercion vs choice, exploitation vs performance.
All that being said, I don't think these points detract from the work, just something I think are worth exploring further. Definitely recommend.

[Jane Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Melanie Benjamin's novel, The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, I got interested in P.T. Barnum, and went to the library at UC Berkeley for his letters and a book about him. On a nearby shelf was this little gem that investigates the connection between disability and performance art, among other things. A great piece of academic writing--clear writing, analytical, pulls together a lot of surprising sources and information.