"Refiguring the Archive”: Theatre makers and their use of Instagram as an experiential archive

Abstract

Conventional conceptualisations of the archive have been characterised by their entanglement with power and status which has resulted in an inherent exclusivity. Thus, the action of refiguring this selective repository requires a process of challenging barriers of access and the inclusion of histories and experiences of those who were otherwise excluded from the archive. This research explores how social media platforms, specifically Instagram are used to refigure conventions conceptualisations of archives. This research specifically focuses on how theatre makers in Johannesburg are actively creating and contributing to Peterson’s (2002) concept of an experiential archive. Interviews with eight theatre practitioners were conducted between July 2024 and September 2024 to gain insights to their usage of Instagram and to understand the process involved in the preservation of the work. This research found that both theatre makers and audiences are crucial to the development of the experiential archive. Further, the processes involved during rehearsal allow for high engagement with the experiential archive. By sharing these proceedings through Instagram, audiences, and other theatre makers are allowed access to this knowledge. This research also explores the politics surrounding social media use, uncovering that the utilisation of Instagram does not ensure an impartial archive, however, theatre makers value its activeness in providing a means to reach wider audiences and funding opportunities.