The Art of Play: The new genre of interactive theatre by Gary Izzo

Author:Gary Izzo [Izzo, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2015-12-30T18:30:00+00:00

Use the Environment

Actors should use what is around them in the environment. Actors should be keenly aware of their surroundings, and use every object or set piece to inspire them or support their activity. Something as simple as a bench, a bookcase, a stick of wood, or a pile of dirt can become the focus of a fascinating situation. Actors must never cease searching their environment for new things to play with.

Assume What the Guest Says Is True

Always assume that what is said to you is true as you play with guests. Those who are inspired to play along and make an offer of information do not always made as useful an assumption as a fellow actor would. An actor may tend to overlook or ignore guest assumptions that aren’t expedient choices, but this is detrimental to the spirit of interaction.

There should always be a feeling of, "the customer is always right." Actors must remember that they are playing a game of improv with the guest, and when the guest is inspired to play, they must play back and not forget the rules of positive assumption. If they do forget, they run the risk of giving the guests the impression that their ideas are not as good, and this will cause them to clam up, fold their arms, and refuse to take part.

I've worked this idea in scenes by having one or more characters encounter a mock guest, whose intent is to make absurd, incongruous, or unreal assumptions for the scene. The character's task is to affirm and incorporate those assumptions, and still further the scene in a constructive and interesting way. Naturally, there is a difference between a guest giving a difficult assumption with good intent, and one who is deliberately trying to make the situation difficult for the actor. The latter must be dealt with differently. I am speaking here of a guest that truly wants to partake but falters in the attempt.

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