THE BRIEF

MY IDEAS/ INTENTIONS

The above is the setup for my performance. I wanted the environment to feel inviting and casual. Ideally I would have left the door to the studio open, but due to corridor noise I did close it after leading the participant inside. Despite this, I think the amount of windows means the space still feels open. 

I had the audience member pick a model from the table on the left (photo illustrating this is below) and then directed them to sit in the chair closest to the camera in this photo. Positioning myself in the closed space meant that I held a position of authority and curation in the process. 

I remained standing while they inspected the models, keeping myself occupied by setting up the computer. It was at this point where I mentioned the availability of real world context through google earth images. Once a model was chosen I would sit down at a similar time to the audience, again to make the interaction more relaxed.

Overall I'm pleased with the construction of these models, I think they strike a good balance between accurate and of an intermediate skill level. I wanted them to stray from reality enough that they would serve as inspiration for stories, without having details that held the audience's creativity down. 

I found that the real world context I presented the audience with became their primary source of reference for their stories. They did not adventure too far into fantasy or heightened reality unless prompted. They followed the details provided by real life such as location, size and appearance, even after I explained that there was no rules or parameters.

Maybe it would have been more affective to take the real life context as inspiration only for myself, and to create models that express my imagination, so the audience builds upon my creativity.

The most challenging aspect of the brief for me was the digital aspect of the 'placemaking', specifically the incorporation of google maps/ street view.

I didn't want to force that element into a story where it didn't serve an impactful purpose, so I decided to make the google maps the foundation of my piece.

My style of theatre-making focuses on story above all else, and so by making the digital placemaking the foundation, story had to be built upon that. 

Another key characteristic of my work is that I don't make theatre I wouldn't myself go to see, and since I am not fond of audience participation, I wanted the audience to feel comfortable interacting with me, because there wasn't a 'wrong way' to participate.

Additionally, I prefer work that doesn't use lots of technology, I enjoy the use of sound and lighting on stage, but anything more complex can sometimes become distracting or superficial.

On the main table I had laid out: 

My laptop- displaying real world context pictures upon request.

Coloured pencils and a sheet of paper, so the audience could draw if they wanted to.

My Sketchbook

And a pack of playing cards which were intended to randomly select prompts I had written out, however during the performance I discovered that it was better to pick these prompts myself as some were more applicable than others.