{"id":6495,"date":"2018-11-19T15:46:53","date_gmt":"2018-11-19T15:46:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=6495"},"modified":"2020-04-29T03:34:05","modified_gmt":"2020-04-29T03:34:05","slug":"devising-theatre-7-quick-tips-for-your-first-devising-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/devising-theatre-7-quick-tips-for-your-first-devising-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Devising Theatre: 7 Quick Tips for Your First Devising Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

Devising Theatre: 7 Quick Tips for Your First Devising Project<\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by\u00a0Ashleigh Gardner<\/p>\n

November 14, 2018<\/p>\n<\/font>

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If you\u2019re thinking of creating a devised theatre piece, take a look at the suggestions below.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is devising?<\/h4>\n
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\u201cDevising\u201d is a process in which the <\/span>entire creative team <\/span><\/i>of a show develops a show collaboratively. Sometimes, there isn\u2019t even a script to begin with (in this case, a script may be written based on improvised scenes), and sometimes there is a script (in this case, the ensemble and director work together to make decisions regarding blocking, music choices, and\/or costume and makeup choices). Creating a devised theatre piece allows creativity to blossom from multiple sources in a space which is usually dominated by a single person: the director. In the case of devising theatre, the director is a facilitator that encourages the birth of ideas from the minds and hearts of actors and designers. It also encourages a higher level of personal investment in the project since so many people\u2019s ideas are present and utilized.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Where do I start with a devised piece?<\/h4>\n
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Most devised theatre pieces are about making a show that centers around a larger concept: love, envy, bravery, education, loneliness, family. Devised pieces can be rooted in a story a performer tells during a rehearsal or a news broadcast on television or radio<\/span>.<\/span><\/i> Improv games, <\/span>Viewpoints exercises<\/b><\/a><\/span>, or group brainstorming are great ways to get some scene ideas in the air.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your devised theatre piece is based on an already existing text like the <\/span>Odyssey<\/span><\/i>, a Shakespearean play, or another public domain text, you can use Viewpoints to come up with a few blocking, movement, or sound moments your cast may want to include in the final production.<\/span><\/p>\n

(You can find the Viewpoints book by Anne Bogart and Tina Landau <\/span>here<\/b><\/a><\/span>.)<\/span><\/p>\n

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3.\u00a0Understand your source material and be passionate about its themes, messaging, and story.<\/h4>\n
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There\u2019s one thing that\u2019s for certain: it\u2019s always harder to work on a project when you\u2019re not passionate about it. So get passionate! Ask yourself and your collaborators why they care so much about the devised theatre piece they\u2019re creating. How does it resonate within their lives? And if the devised piece is from an existing text, make sure all collaborators are familiar enough with the source material that they can discuss it in depth when necessary. After all, it\u2019s easier to collaborate when everyone is already on the same page.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4.\u00a0Be open to receiving ideas from everyone.<\/h4>\n
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Sometimes it can be difficult to accept other people\u2019s ideas when they don\u2019t immediately mesh with our own. However, it\u2019s important to remember that everyone comes from different experiences and backgrounds. Someone might bring something to the metaphorical table that may end up being a huge part of the devised piece. For example, a performer may offer up the idea that a tango might work well for one scene, even though ballroom dancing isn\u2019t at all included in any other part of the devised story. This idea may help other performers tap into their own interest in dance, and they might offer up similar ideas (swing dance, foxtrot, waltz) in later devising sessions, culminating in a show that uses ballroom dance to express the personalities of different characters.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5.\u00a0Don\u2019t throw out anybody\u2019s ideas.<\/h4>\n
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This is a big one. As stated above, it\u2019s important that we keep an open mind when devising theatre, so if an idea doesn\u2019t work out now, keep it in a \u201cbank\u201d for future rehearsals. If a moment onstage isn\u2019t working out, see if you can pull from this \u201cbank\u201d of set-aside ideas. You may be surprised at what works!<\/span><\/p>\n

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6.\u00a0Remember that everyone works differently.<\/h4>\n
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Not everyone is used to being asked for their ideas or opinions, so don\u2019t be surprised if not everyone speaks up or offers ideas. They may be like me \u00a0\u2014 comfortable being told what\u2019s expected of them onstage and running within those boundaries. Instead of asking people right away what some of their ideas are, ask them to write them down on a piece of paper without their name (many young students are afraid of looking foolish, so this level of anonymity cushions that fear). Then, after reminding all collaborators that the rehearsal process is an open environment, read the papers out loud. Keep all ideas in the \u201cbank\u201d, and move forward with the ideas that feel like the most effective choices at the time. On the other hand, you may have performers that blossom in a devised theatre environment. If this is the case, encourage them to partner up with a performer who isn\u2019t as active so that they can learn from one another.<\/span><\/p>\n

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7.\u00a0Keep it as positive an environment as possible.<\/h4>\n
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Devised theatre isn\u2019t for everyone, and sometimes coming up with ideas from scratch gets frustrating. Use this as an opportunity to encourage a positive and nurturing environment. Remind performers that nothing has to be perfect, and that the goal of a devised theatre piece is to enjoy the journey as well as the destination.<\/p>\n
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Need some advice? We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/h3>\n