Gender and Performance in Traditional Theatre Practices

Abstract

Traditional theatre practices across cultures have long been shaped by gender norms, symbolic roles, and performative conventions. From classical Asian theatre forms to Western folk and ritual drama, gender has functioned as both a structural principle and a site of cultural negotiation. This article examines how gender is constructed, represented, and contested within traditional theatre practices. Drawing on theories of performance, gender performativity, and cultural representation, the study argues that traditional theatre not only reflects existing gender ideologies but also actively participates in shaping and regulating them. Through comparative examples, the article highlights how theatrical performance becomes a powerful medium for reproducing, questioning, and transforming gender identities.