This collection investigates the evolution of acting techniques and performance theory during the pivotal shift from 1960s ecstatic theater to 1980s postmodern irony. Philip Auslander, a recognized scholar in performance studies, compiles his critical essays to map how performance genres adapted to changing cultural and aesthetic landscapes. By analyzing the work of diverse practitioners, he establishes a framework for understanding the transition from traditional theatrical representation to the self-conscious, mediated modes of postmodern performance.

Scholars and students of theater history frequently cite this collection as a foundational text for understanding the shift toward postmodern performance aesthetics. The prose is noted for its academic rigor and its ability to synthesize complex theoretical concepts with specific historical case studies.