"This wonderful book revels in the paradoxical interanimations among theatre, theatricality, politics, and performativity. Schmidt helps us think deeply about participatory practices, situating spectatorship as a mode of being-with – the grounds for political as well as theatrical “appearance.” The Theatricalists usefully suspends the real/fake binary that screens theatrical acts from political acts in order to take a deep look at the work of appearance. Thick description and careful close readings make this book a pleasure to think alongside, with, and through."—Rebecca Schneider, Brown University“The Theatricalists is a powerful contribution to crucial discussions in theater and performance studies from the last three decades. Schmidt brings together an effective re-excavation of pivotal texts and events with current cases advancing the relevance of ‘theatricality’ as a central concern of contemporary performance and criticism.” —Michael Peterson, University of Wisconsin–Madison