Co-Craeting with the Audience

Dear Theatre Friends around the World: I've just created a blogspot so that we can meet and talk about theatre. The latest topic is "Co-Creating with the Audience". What do you think? Check it out when you "have a minute" ! ;-) Love, Jill Navarre artistic director Auroville Theatre Group Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India http://threeboardsandapassion.blogspot.com

Normally these kinds of posts are spam (especially given that both the blog and the TA membership is new), but as far as I can tell, it's sincere. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

It's an interseting concept but would this - for some - take away the joy of going to the theatre? possibly lose some of the suspended belief and the magic once associated with the stage? something to ponder. . . . . ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Think about Brecht and Artaud, both of them wanted (in different ways) to break down the barriers and remove the "mystery" Brecht wanted his audiences never to have any doubt they were at the theatre not in real life and Artaud believed that the experience of attending the theatre should have the relevance and immediacy of coming down with the plague. Should we not want our audience to understand the creative process that we go through to present out message or story to them? Or as you ask would that not destroy the illusion. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

I suspect you're right. The majority of audience simply want to see our end product. The story, the glory, the music lights and scenery. The whole beautiful lie that is theatre. We, the creators, are involved with the process watching it grow from page to stage and yet isn't there always a sneaking "how did they do that" that creeps into the consciousness of the watchers. This could be a fascinating debate but seems to be attracting very few people. Hey ho Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Dear all: Thanks a lot for your comments. This topic has come up for me because after 30 years of working in theatre I am seeking for a new type of relationship between the audience and the performance. I just know that I have to "go beyond" and I believe that there is magic in co-creating, and it's potential is that it could be a much more dynamic relationship than the usual passive one that we are used to. Instead of feeding the audience for 1-2 hours and they go home feeling well fed and maybe a little sleepy, we are inviting them to a "pot luck" (to continue the feeding image)where everyone brings a dish and gets to know one another and leaves feeling energized. Anyway,it is something that I wll explore, perhaps in our upcoming production of "Corporate Hamlet" (an adaptation of Hamlet) which will be presented in January 2008 here. Cheers, Jill

I at least am fascinated with the idea but perhaps a little frightened to follow it up myself. All the best. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

It's an interesting concept. What would make it more so, is that instead of having a single audience co-create have sessions with various audiences and then invite them all to see the end product. . . could make for an intersting end product. I'm the same though, the idea is intriguing but don't think I could follow it up. Still good luck, if it goes ahead. ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.