Comments on: Weathering a Brainstorm

By: Dennis Baker

Dennis Baker — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:04:29 +0000

I think you need to ask why now? Why are you doing the play you are doing, when you are doing? The answer can be a whole range of things, but if you can’t answer it that might give you pause. Its a basic questions, but sometimes overlooked.

That will help you determine what Walters was talking about. Whether you are “noodling” around with structure for your own benefit or creating a piece that you want to present to an audience. The why now feeds into the question of whether the audience will care.

By: Hans

Hans — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:10:01 +0000

The best theatre should ask questions of its audience rather than trying didactically to teach them something. Better still, it should get the audience to ask the questions.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:17:30 +0000

Obviously, I think it would be entertaining to an audience. The tough part is letting them in on the fun. Ideally, I’d like to approach this as more of a puzzle.

There is a series of conversations that are seemingly unrelated by a series of characters that are seemingly unrelated — what’s the connection?

If an audience came to simply be entertained, to laugh or cry, then they’re in for a disappointment. But if they can ask themselves questions and perhaps figure out the solution before the show is over, then I think it would be a lot more rewarding.

By: Scott Walters

Scott Walters — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:57:45 +0000

“…messing around with time, space, and possibilities.”

To what end? Is this just you noodling around with dramatic technique? If so, do it as an important exercise for yourself, but don’t subject an audience to it. Then, take what you’ve learned and apply it to something that matters to an audience.

There are things you have to do to learn, and those don’t need to be shared. The things to share are things that will matter to the audience. Unless they themselves are messing around with time, space, and possibilities — unless such messing around illuminates something important to their lives — then why should they care?

By: admin

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:13:23 +0000

Well, that’s the thing. I’m worried that they’ll miss the clues, but I DON’T want to give away the premise at the start. I’d rather that my audience figure it out themselves. On the other hand, I don’t want 5% of my audience to “get it” while the rest scratch their heads in confusion.

By: RVCBard

RVCBard — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:56:08 +0000

If you have to explicity explain the reasoning behind why you did what you did, or explicitly explain the moral or the lesson or whatever it is that you want the audience to take away from the play, should you even do the play at all? If they miss the point and walk away from the show confused, have you lost them?

Let me flip it around a bit. If this were a symphony, a collection of paintings, a ballet, or something other than theater, what would your answer be?

The “problem” with experimental plays is that (at least initially) you need to provide a context for understanding the piece. Without a way of getting the audience actively engaged, there is the risk of them getting lost - or worse, bored.

It’s like reading a mystery novel or watching a detective film. You need clues.