One element of a performance that is incredibly important and can alter the strength of a performance is the audience. ‘…devised performance… explores the dynamics in the relationship between performer and spectator… developing through process to product. (Oddey, 2013, 19) Over the course of the process we had the opportunity to perform for one of our peer groups from our course, Forefront Theatre Company, in addition our lecturer Diane. As a company, we all agreed that this was a necessity as until that point we had been the only audience that had reviewed and reflected on our developing piece. As the creators of a performance, we were mindful that sometimes it is difficult to objectively identify any flaws as we have all agreed the individual elements of the performance, accepted them and in the main grown to love the aspects that others might identify as needing change or development. During the session, both companies shared their work with the intention to be provided with honest and trusted professional feedback from others that had not seen the performance previously. The feedback we received provided an alternate perspective on our work which allowed us to focus on the identified points that were highlighted for development in order to improve and strengthen the overall impact of the piece.
Throughout the process of developing a theatre company and creating our debut performance, in addition to sharing our work with peers, we are conscious that it is vital to ensure that the public are kept up to date with our progress in order to interest and engage our potential audience members from the wider community. ‘Creation of a dramatic work for public performance obviously makes that work available for selection by potential audiences.’ (Bennett, 2013, 106) Therefore, with the responsibility for online marketing it is vital for me to regularly post pictures taken in rehearsals and tasters of our piece onto social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (see below). This exposure provides us with the opportunity to share individual moments of rehearsal that capture the imagination and leave questions that can only be answered by attending the performance.
Works Cited
Bennett, S. (2013) Theatre Audiences. London: Routledge.
Oddey, A. (2013) Devising Theatre: A Practical and Theoretical Handbook. Oxon: Routledge.