A theatrical production that I
would love to stage in a Found Space would be Seascape with Sharks and Dancer. In Asheville, NC there are lots of
bookstore/coffee shop spaces with shelves and shelves of books, magazines,
newspapers etc. I think that this would be an interesting environment to stage
this show, because originally, it calls for being in Ben’s house. Ben is a
writer who works in a library so it’d be an interesting adjustment putting it
into a bookstore/coffeeshop. It’d be interesting to put two actors in this
space after working on the show, and just see what they do with the
environment. The coffee shop that I’m thinking of specifically has different
levels, balconies and ladders, and would give them a unique environment to
explore.
I think in this case the framework
of a site-specific theatrical production would be an enhancement for both the
audience and the performer. It’d give the actors freedom, and allow them to completely go with their impulses rather than sticking to movements that were
one-hundred percent pre-determined. The audience would enjoy this added aspect of
spontaneity. Considering that the action of the
story is also quite energetic and spontaneous, I believe that putting it in a
found space similar to the original set desire would create a very interesting
dynamic.
I think there is some truth to
Kantor’s view, but I do not completely agree with it. Although it is true that drama materializes organically in day-to-day
life, I do not think that theatre has been completely neutralized. If that was
the case, humans as a society would not be drawn to it at all. Regardless of
the fact that we go through a rehearsal process to put on a show, when the run
of the show starts, there is still an aspect of unpredictability to the show. A
show can take on an emotional, unpredictable life of it’s own once an audience
is added, and I don’t think there is anything neutral about that. One of the
reasons that I love going to see theatre performances is to watch people make
new discoveries and new connections that they may have not ever realized before.
Drama is still materialized through theatre because the actors, as people,
change every minute of every day. No person is the same two-days in a row, and
so therefore every show will be different. I believe it’s about being able to recognize
that a show takes on a life of it’s own, as a result of the actors being
individuals that are on a constant journey.
Hey Andie, really cool idea to place this show in a library/coffee shop. As soon as you mentioned it I thought about it taking place in several different locations as well. I also think its a good idea that it would be in a Found Space rather than a Transformed Space. Would the audience move from level to level with your two actors? This coincides with Schechner's 2nd Axiom.
ReplyDeleteThis show sounds delightful! I would definitely see it, especially if it was set in a bookstore/coffee shop. It would be so fun to see a performance played out in a space that allows the actors more freedom and spontaneity. Also, I really enjoyed reading about your connection between the audience and how they shape the performance and performers. It is true, an audience will differ with every showing and do help to shape the journey of the production and actors.
ReplyDelete