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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Certainly recognize a kindred Spirit! I
suspect good theatre is like good music (according to some) – it all happens in
the silences. Or Open Spaces.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Harrison</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold'>NEW</span></font></b><b><font
size=2 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red;font-weight:bold'> EMAIL ADDRESS!!!!</span></font></b></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold'>hhowen@verizon.net</span></font></b></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Harrison Owen</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>7808 River Falls Drive</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Potomac,
Maryland 20854</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Phone </span></font><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red'>301-365-2093</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Skype hhowen</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Open Space Training</span></font><font
color=red><span style='color:red'> <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/"><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>www.openspaceworld.com</span></font></a>
</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Open Space Institute</span></font><font
color=red><span style='color:red'> <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org"><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>www.openspaceworld.org</span></font></a></span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Personal website</span></font><font
color=red><span style='color:red'> <a href="http://www.ho-image.com"><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>www.ho-image.com</span></font></a> </span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>OSLIST</span></font><font
color=red face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;color:red'>: To subscribe,
unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: </span></font><font
color=red><span style='color:red'><a
href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html"><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'>www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</span></font></a></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b> </span></font><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>OSLIST</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> [mailto:</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>OSLIST</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Phelim McDermott<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, </span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>December 21,
2005</span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma'> </span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>1:25 PM</span></font><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> </span></font><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>OSLIST</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> open space in theatre.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:2.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Hi
all,</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:2.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> I
wrote this before i knew about open space. </span></font>It was a kind of
manifesto I wrote to warn the Artistic Director of the National Theatre how we
would be working in their building after working in theatre for twenty years..
You might recognise why i felt like i knew about open space before I knew about
it. if you want to know more about the company.. our website is..</p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:2.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:2.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>www.improbable.co.uk</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:2.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:2.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:2.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><b><font
size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black;font-weight:bold'>"Improbable Principles"</span></font></b></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.5pt;margin-left:.5in;min-height: 15px'><font
size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:6.5pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>This
is a description of some of the guiding principles and techniques that
Improbable hold valuable for their work. In communication with our potential
actors we have come to talk about this as our “health warning” so that actors
are really clear what kind of a process they are getting involved in and so
that they can really choose to commit to the creative journey they will embark
upon. As we have discovered in the past when we have not taken the trouble to
do this we have had difficulties. “You never told me it would be like this!”
They have sometimes said. “Oh yes we did.” We reply. However maybe we just
hadn’t said it LOUD ENOUGH!<br>
<br>
It is essential when creating a true ensemble that performers have genuinely
chosen to be there so that they don’t check out of the process. If someone
doesn’t believe in it and thinks it won’t work THEY WILL BE CORRECT! <br>
<br>
These beliefs may not be true but they are useful!<br>
<br>
“It’s far too important to take it seriously”<br>
<br>
Play is an essential part of our creative process although sometimes it looks
like we don’t take things seriously this is because we are true artists who
know that great ideas only come when you have persuaded the gods that you do
not care. <br>
<br>
Creativity is like a cat you can’t MAKE IT come to you. In order to catch it
you sometimes have to walk away from it. <br>
<br>
We will tend to make creative decisions later rather than sooner. This is to
ensure we do not create premature closure. Often we believe decisions can be
made too soon in order to feel more comfortable and reassure others that
everything is going well. We will attempt to avoid this. Also these early
decisions stem from the belief that we won’t be able to come up with a better
idea. <br>
<br>
Every rule we create will always be incorrect at some point. “The opposite is
also true!”<br>
<br>
Sometimes our shows are totally improvised, sometimes they are devised through
improvisation, sometimes they are improvised and become fixed, sometimes they
are a script which is improvised with. The common thread is the spirit with
which they are performed. A scripted show should feel as alive and vital as a
totally improvised show. We sometimes don’t know which of these the show will
be at the start of a process. <br>
<br>
We will use the work of any of the great teachers to create a great theatre
show. This includes, Michael Checkov, Viola Spolin, Keith Johnstone, Eric
Morris, Wesley Balk, Mindell etc.. <br>
<br>
Often our rehearsal process is more like training a sports team and teaching
than a more traditional theatre process. It is a preparation for a LIVE event.<br>
<br>
We believe that a lot of people talk about wanting to create ensemble in
theatre however this is often lip service. We believe we are good at creating a
genuine sense of ensemble. We actually do what we say we do. We are proud of
this. We believe this is important and we will often work on this so that
problems solve themselves rather than work directly on a problem with the show.<br>
<br>
There are two stories in our shows: The story the performers are telling and
the story of the performers putting on the show. This second story is the most
important to us. If it is not present then the telling of the story will be
pointless. <br>
<br>
We believe that what happens between the performers is more important than what
the performers can do individually. The whole show and the synergy of the
ensemble is more important than any one person’s intention to “shine”. <br>
<br>
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. “SYNERGY”<br>
<br>
An audience can tell whether actors are working well together, they smell it
even if it’s subliminal.<br>
<br>
We would sooner have a great ensemble than a bunch of great actors who are
separate. <br>
<br>
Our job as directors is to make ourselves redundant. <br>
<br>
We believe the co dependence between actors and directors which often exists
does not create a show which the actors truly own. <br>
<br>
It’s not that we want performers in our show who don’t get scared. It’s that we
don’t want performers who pretend they aren’t whilst secretly resenting us. It
is good if they are excited by the idea of not knowing.<br>
<br>
We get scared too. <br>
<br>
We will often deliberately make sure our show is unfinished so that the
audience have a strong input into the creation of a show. Shockheaded Peter is
a very good example of this. Many parts of this show were created for the first
time in front of the audience. We will work on creating a strong group of
performers who are empowered to make decisions for themselves in order to
create truly exciting spontaneous theatre from moments of the unknown. If
everything has been decided before the audience turn up then the audience have
nothing to do and the story is already over.<br>
<br>
We value all people’s voices and contributions.<br>
<br>
We respect people and treat them well. <br>
The stage management and technical staff are part of the ensemble and should be
treated as such.<br>
<br>
We believe in Alchemy.<br>
We welcome mistakes, interruptions, gossip and trouble as potential gold. <br>
If there is a sickness in the show we will use homeopathy before we perform
surgery. <br>
We know that a problem in a show is often not where it reveals itself but
somewhere else.<br>
<br>
When things start to get difficult we will sit in the trouble and wait before
we try to FIX THINGS.<br>
<br>
At the point in the creative process where most directors want to pin things
down.. we will hold off. It pays off.<br>
<br>
“Wait… Give up hope… Keep the faith.”<br>
<br>
When we work we really work.<br>
We will not follow rigid time structures in order to LOOK LIKE we are working.<br>
We know that creative ideas come from moments of relaxation as well as intense
concentration. <br>
Our best ideas often happen in tea breaks. <br>
We will not overwork people.<br>
The audience are in the rehearsal room from day one. Watching other performers
and contributing as an audience is as important as rehearsing. <br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'><br>
An Improbable Prayer.</span></b><br>
<br>
We will say we don’t know when we don’t know. <br>
We will say we are scared when we are scared.<br>
We will not pretend everything is ok when it isn’t. <br>
We will never ask a performer to do something we wouldn’t be prepared to do
ourselves. <br>
We love performers.<br>
We believe they often know more than the director.<br>
We love the audience.<br>
We believe they often know more than either the performers or the director.<br>
Anyone is free to leave at anytime. <br>
It is better to leave than to be there and not really be present.<br>
If someone leaves we will do it. <br>
A comedy store joke in serious theatre is just as valuable as serious theatre
at the comedy store. <br>
We will never do something just to be different. <br>
We will be prepared to be obvious. <br>
When things get scary we will stay awake.<br>
When things get scary we will look after each other not ourselves.<br>
We will have a good time.<br>
The audience see everything.</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.5pt;margin-left:.5in'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>www.improbable.co.uk</span></font></p>
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