Parenthood in Performance: Exploring the Intersection of Art, Identity, and Transformation in the Lives of Performing Artist Parents

This body of work explores (and will explore further in upcoming Routledge monograph - submission date summer 2025) the unique experiences of parents who are performing artists, investigating how the demands of parenthood intersect with, and often reshape, their artistic practices. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this work delves into key themes such as the transformation of creative identity, the negotiation of time and energy between art and caregiving, and the evolving nature of performance as it is influenced by family dynamics. It examines how parenthood impacts the artistic process, performance style, career choices, and the artist's relationship with their audience.

The research also highlights the systemic challenges faced by artist-parents, such as the lack of structural support, gendered expectations, and financial constraints, while celebrating the resilience and innovation that emerge as they adapt their art forms to reflect new realities. By centring the voices of performing artists from diverse backgrounds, this work seeks to broaden our understanding of the interplay between creativity and caregiving, offering insights into how parenthood reshapes both the artist and their art.