Devised Theatre

I really enjoyed reading this. I saw a lot of what we have been doing in this handout, and now it makes more sense to me. In the Integration of arts section, (page 19), I really liked the idea of devised theatre, "....that analyses culture and society in a different way to the dominant traditional form...By integrating video, soundtrack, visual and physical imagery together as performance text, one is presented with a multifarious vision from which the audience can choose how to experience the work." This hits at what we have been talking about, making the audience a part of the "play." Incorporating images and sound, I believe, will add more to the experience.
The second item that I really liked was on page 24, right at the beginning, "Devising begins with the interaction between the members of a group and the starting point or stimulus chosen. The group absorbs the source material, responds to it, and than generates a method of working appropriate to the initial aims of the company and project. The devising process challenges every group member to confront the work, engage with it individually at different levels, as well as developing a sense of group cooperation, affiliation and unity at the same time." I liked how Laura decided what the source material was going to be, for me I have always been interested in labor and workers rights. I have to admit, I was a bit uncomfortable in the first few classes, I did not know anyone and most everyone else seemed to know each other. I truly did not feel like a true member until we started doing our short "plays." Working with my fellow classmates on these short "plays" helped me to feel more a part of the company. This led to me feeling that I could speak up more in class.
The third part of this handout that I really liked is on page 154, "The need to question how we see the world underlies ant devising process, consciously or not. Devising is a means of rearranging that world for a group; assembling and structuring an experience into a concrete form for others to see, which is often complex, both intellectually and emotionally. The drive or motivation comes from a desire to make sense of something, a need to speak, a will to investigate, as well as the passion to explore this through the means of theatre." I believe that what we are doing, Ludlow Massacre, will force people to ask why they have not heard of this event, especially if they are from Colorado. For me this also allows me the means of trying to voice my thoughts about this important event. Working with the company is a great way to ensure that I do not become to preachy on my soapbox, while still trying to get the public to question how something like that could have happened and ask if it could happen again.
A great handout. I found a lot that I liked and could see us attempting to do. I believe that we have accomplished a lot, but we also have a lot left to do. I am more motivated to see the end result because of the different ideas that the class is bringing to the table.