Time- Part 1

The Old Adage is that "Time is Money". I don't disagree with that, but I think it is a far to simplistic view of something that deserves much more reverence. Time is precious. Time is all we have, and we aren't even guaranteed the amount we think we have. Time becomes money because it is precious. Time becomes money because of our well layed plans. Time in the theatre is even more precious.

Whether it be the practical:
Actor's Time, Time with the Designers, Time in the space, Rehearsal Time, or Performance Time

Or Creative:
Rhythm and Tempo, Pace, Internal Energies, Beginnings, Ends, Slow Motion, or Jo Ha Kyu

Time is perhaps the key element in making Theatre Necessary. Before you have space, an audience, the actor, a vision, a story, light, set, costumes, sound, or props; You must look at Time. Time is Paramount

In practical terms Time is money for a Theatre Company. But, how do you balance the need to "keep cost's down" while finding the right creative use of time? Time needs to be used wisely.

Let's explore Time. I want to expand on this. Next Blog is going to cover the Actor's Time, send me your thoughts.

Until then, hope all is well.

The Necessity of Theatre

I'm attempting something new here. I've stayed away from Blogging because I always believed that the blogger was someone pretentious enough to believe that someone wanted to hear their thoughts. However, after reading others thoughts everyday online myself, and being asked to share my thoughts with you as we are spread accross the country, here I am.

I want to do something that Harold Clurman did when he first came up with the idea of The Group Theatre. I want to talk about our ideal Theatre. I think about it everyday and it is beyond time to put it down in writing. I've been working on something that I have titled the Necessity of Theatre. It really is just what I want a theatre to be, focusing on solving the problems that we all face everyday ie: wasting time in rehearsal, being left out of the process, money issues, finding a space, what is a relationship on stage, how do you mingle differing acting styles, etc. etc.

Things take priority in the theate and we should focus on them. These are just thoughts, they aren't beliefs or rules but as I see it the hierarchy of theatre is:

(in order of importance)

Time
Space
Audience
Actor
A Vision
A Story
Light
Set
Sound
Clothing
Props

Notice I put Audience above the Actor, and everything else far below that. The question I ask myself is " Can an act of theatre happen without ?" If you can answer yes it goes further down the list. Peter Brook says to have an act of theatre you need an actor an audience and an empty space. Anne Bogart says all you need is two planks and a passion. ( Planks are optional. Planks cost money, passion is free.)

So I want to share the vision of the theatre we want to work toward. Who knows if this will be read or even though about, maybe it is just for me, but I hope not. Please share your thoughts, as this is something I hope we all build together.

All my best.