The_Director_and_Directing_Craft_Process_and_Aesth..._----_(Chapter_5_‘Making_Something_from_Within’_The_Director_and_Devising)

Introduction to Devising Practices

• The concept of devising groups as ‘performance authors’ shifts focus from traditional playtexts to collaborative and potentially non-dramatic performances.

• This reflects broader themes of authorship, hierarchy, and collective creativity in theatre.

Nature of Devising

• Devising does not have a fixed definition; it is fluid and varies by context and intention.

• Can involve:

  • Development or authorship of key ideas or themes.

  • Adaptation of texts.

  • Targeting specific audiences in applied theatre.

  • Manifestations of place or space in site-based performances.

Role of the Director

• In devising, the director leads the creative process, facilitating material assembly and integrating key themes.

• A shift from rigid hierarchies towards more collaborative approaches has emerged.

• Duška Radosavljević suggests redefining ‘devising’ to a more intentional and reflective practice known as ‘theatre making’.

Phases of Devising

• Phased structures (preparation, creation, organization, and reflection) may apply but understanding should be flexible.

• For example, Jackie Smart's model articulates developmental stages of devised works while recognizing the dynamic and reciprocal nature of the creative process.

• Devising is often a non-linear progression with cyclical and feedback loops.

Time and Space in Devising

• Works like Complicité’s The Encounter illustrate how creative processes can revert to earlier phases as ideas evolve.

• This reflects the dynamic interaction of feedback loops within the development of theatrical material.

Company Structures and Traditions

• Various theatre companies embody different training and aesthetic traditions, from Meyerhold to Lecoq.

• A shared vocabulary and collective experience informs the work produced by ensembles like Complicité and Riotous Company.

Contemporary Theatre Practices

• The rise of project-based funding structures has led to a fragmentary, intensive development landscape in theatre creation.

• Terms like ‘scratch night’ or ‘R&D sharing’ highlight the inclination towards producing material for feedback rather than traditional rehearsed readings.

Adaptation in Devised Work

• Adaptation is crucial in devising, allowing for reinterpretation and the emergence of new forms from existing texts.

• The balance between fidelity to source material and creative reinterpretation is discussed, considering both Out of Blixen and The Encounter as examples of this process.

Challenges and Outcomes

• While modern authorial practices in devising can suggest a loss of radical origins, the complexities of contemporary performance remain essential.

• The iterative nature of devising emphasizes collaborative authorship, challenging hierarchies and authorial ownership in theatre-making.