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<DIV><SPAN class=671395921-21122005><FONT color=#0000ff>Love it Phelim, can I
share it? There are so many messages about the wonders of life in here
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color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=671395921-21122005><FONT color=#0000ff>Jane,
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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color=#0000ff>UK</FONT> </SPAN></DIV>
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color=#008000>Jane Quinn</FONT></SPAN></I></P>
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<DIV align=left><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy">Member of BNI
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
/><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dunedin</st1:place></st1:City>,
</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy">Chapter of the Year for 2005
for BNI South & <st1:place w:st="on">East
Scotland</st1:place></SPAN><o:p></o:p></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Phelim
McDermott<BR><B>Sent:</B> 21 December 2005 18:24<BR><B>To:</B>
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<BR><B>Subject:</B> open space in
theatre.<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>Hi
all,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000> I wrote this before i knew about open
space. </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: 0px 0px 5px"><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px">www.improbable.co.uk</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px"><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px"><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000><B>"Improbable Principles"</B></FONT></P>
<P style="MIN-HEIGHT: 15px; MARGIN: 0px 0px 13px; FONT: 13px Arial"><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><FONT class=Apple-style-span
face=Helvetica size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span
style="FONT-SIZE: 12px"><BR></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 13px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>These
beliefs may not be true but they are useful!<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>“It’s far too important to take it seriously”<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>Every rule we create will always be
incorrect at some point. “The opposite is also true!”<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>The whole
is greater than the sum of its parts. “SYNERGY”<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>An audience can tell whether actors are working well together,
they smell it even if it’s subliminal.<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We would
sooner have a great ensemble than a bunch of great actors who are separate.
<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>Our job as directors is to make ourselves
redundant. <BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We believe
the co dependence between actors and directors which often exists does not
create a show which the actors truly own. <BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We get scared too. <BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>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></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>We value all people’s voices and contributions.<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>We respect people and treat them well. <BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>The stage management and technical staff
are part of the ensemble and should be treated as such.<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>We believe in Alchemy.<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>We welcome mistakes, interruptions, gossip and trouble as
potential gold. <BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>If there
is a sickness in the show we will use homeopathy before we perform surgery.
<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We know that a problem
in a show is often not where it reveals itself but somewhere
else.<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>When things start to get difficult we
will sit in the trouble and wait before we try to FIX THINGS.<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>At the point in the creative process where most directors want
to pin things down.. we will hold off. It pays off.<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>“Wait… Give up hope… Keep the faith.”<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>When we work we really work.<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We will not follow rigid time structures
in order to LOOK LIKE we are working.<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>We know that creative ideas come from moments of relaxation as
well as intense concentration. <BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>Our best ideas often happen in tea breaks. <BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We will not overwork
people.<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>The audience are
in the rehearsal room from day one. Watching other performers and contributing
as an audience is as important as rehearsing. <BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000><B><BR></B></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000><B>An Improbable Prayer.</B><BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>We will say we don’t know when we don’t know. <BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We will say we are scared when we are
scared.<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We will not
pretend everything is ok when it isn’t. <BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We will never ask a performer to do
something we wouldn’t be prepared to do ourselves. <BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We love performers.<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We believe they often know more than the
director.<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We love the
audience.<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We believe they
often know more than either the performers or the director.<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>Anyone is free to leave at anytime.
<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>It is better to leave
than to be there and not really be present.<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>If someone leaves we will do it.
<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>A comedy store joke in
serious theatre is just as valuable as serious theatre at the comedy store.
<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We will never do
something just to be different. <BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>We will be prepared to be obvious. <BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>When things get scary we will stay
awake.<BR></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>When things get
scary we will look after each other not ourselves.<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>We will have a good time.<BR></FONT><FONT
class=Apple-style-span color=#000000>The audience see everything.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 13px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR
class=khtml-block-placeholder></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 13px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span color=#000000><BR
class=khtml-block-placeholder></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 13px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span
color=#000000>www.improbable.co.uk</FONT></P>* *
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