October 1, 2008
Why now? Why this?
The other day I mentioned that I had two ideas for plays, both of which are experimental in nature. I asked for your opinions, and you responded with some very good questions for me to think about.
I’ll start with a question from Dennis: Why now?
That’s a complicated question, but I’ll do my best to answer. Firstly, I think they are interesting concepts that would be entertaining for me to watch. Not sure about others, but I would certainly enjoy it, I think. Second, as a rookie director, this would be a good experience in bringing the concepts to life. The hard part would be making it entertaining and understandable to others, with the right amount of “Hey, watch this” and “Can you figure out the puzzle?” elements to it.
Unfortunately, like the Prof said, that might be something that I wouldn’t want to subject an audience to. He suggested that I undertake the project on my own, but not subject an audience to the play if it’s just “noodling around” with techniques.
That’s understandable. In fact, I agree completely. What I’m not sure about, however, is whether or not these concepts are “noodling around” or actually strong ideas that would work. Clearly, I’d have to write the scripts first, before I can make such a determination.
So let’s assume Professor Walters is right: this is just “noodling around” and it’s not worth subjecting an audience to. Now what? How do I take this experiment to its logical conclusion? Get actors together, direct them, put together a show and… what? Don’t show it to people?
I can definitely see the benefits to doing it in private, in terms of learning the techniques, but in terms of.. well.. it’s the principle of the thing. A show is meant to be.. well, showed!
Am I missing something?
4 Comments »
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I guess I would disagree with the premise “a show is meant to be shown.” Not every story an author writes is published, not every painting an artist paints is displayed. Sometimes, doing it is necessary to develop your skills. Sure, you might show it to an invited audience, but that is different than showing it to a paying audience. The question to ask yourself is: what is in it for your audience?
Comment by Scott Walters — October 1, 2008 @ 9:34 am
I also hear you asking how can I get actors to participate without performing it for an audience? Most actors donate their free time to perform, not just rehearse. This partially answered in Scott’s comment. Also remember an invited audience could also be considered a workshop performance. After rehearsing it you will probably want to get it in front of an audience to see reactions, etc. By promoting it as workshop it communicates to the audiences that even though this is a performance it is also a work in progress. Once you write it have a reading at your place to see “if they are strong that would work”.
Comment by Dennis Baker — October 1, 2008 @ 11:58 am
I second the workshop option. But as far as audience is concerned, it depends on the audience. If you mean mainstream audiences, I doubt you’d find takers. Yet, an audience that goes for the avant-garde might be a better bet.
BTW, you might want to check out my Bonsai Theater entry. You may find it interesting.
Comment by RVCBard — October 1, 2008 @ 8:30 pm
Tritto the workshop option. Also leave the actors out of it; get together a group of playwrights and take turns reading each others’ work.
This is why I would suggest not yet taking it to (even volunteer) actors:
I’ve always been of the theory that if you’re creating new work, one of the three legs must be already strong: either the script must be tried-and-true, the director must be extremely experienced, or the actors must be outstanding and able to bring life to early-stage material. (Yes, am knowing I am leaving design out of this.)
Right now you’ve got a fledgling script which you (as an early-career director) also want to direct. So you’ve got to make at least one of your three legs strong, and right now it’s too early to make it the actor leg.
Make it the script leg first.
Comment by Blue — October 4, 2008 @ 9:37 am