The theatre of imagination is hands on.  The teaching and guiding is done through production, problem solving, and results.  Rehearsal is preparation, and performance is the classroom.

The first production will be a collection of ideas expressed by the actors during the rehearsal period.

This production will be loose and comic in nature. 

The elements of theatre introduced will be:

• movement
• music
• free association
• basic audience relationship

The production will be performed for a small audience filled with contemporaries and positive acquaintances.

The second production will be based on discussions with the actors about their lives and situations.  Basic "theatre games" and exercises will be used to give structure to the production.

This production will be more serious in nature, but still comic.

The elements of theatre introduced:

• realistic improvisation (focused realism)
• theatre as a form of self-discovery
• theatre as a form of self-expression
• theatre as a forum for the reflection of ideas

The production will be performed for a larger controlled positive audience.  A discussion with the audience after the performance is important.

The third production will be a play for children.  The actors will, for the first time, work with a script; but will not be restricted by it.  A loose script allowing individual creativity will be used.  This production will be bold and flashy. 

More "theatre games" and exercises will be introduced.

The elements of theatre introduced:

• costumes
• make up
• gesture as language
• audience interaction
• working with a script
• basic touring
• giving to the community

This show is intended to be played to at least two audiences:  one of children and one of the controlled group.

The fourth production is a workshop of a scene from a major script.  Focused "theatre games" and exercises will be used. Voice training begins.

This production will be more focused. 
The elements of theatre introduced:

• voice
• props
• rehearsal discipline
• the script as a blue print for a play
• basic script analysis
• compression, and focus

A non-safe audience should be used.

The last production in this sequence is a full scale production of a one-act play.  "Games" and exercises dealing with concentration and energy are used.

The elements of theatre introduced:

• set
• lights
• sound
• house
• stage management
• the text of silence
• the voice as gesture
• the show is number one
• the actor is prepared
• the actor adapts
• the active communication triangle

There should be much fanfare with this production.

It is not necessary for an actor to have started at step one.  Working along side other actors who have more experiences brings new actors up to speed faster.  The rule of the theatre, "no one fails," keeps the more experienced actors from becoming cliquish and ostracizing new members.  There is a process of natural selection at work however.  Sometimes actors just take themselves out of the mix no matter if they have been a member of the ensemble from day one or only come to one workshop.

© john daniels, jr.

Here are some of the numbers, followed by some of the details.

Here are some of the numbers.  Some of the details can be found here.

Plus they had the opportunity to work with the adult company on 6 productions and travel with the touring company.

They read 21 plays, of which 9 were original works.

They read 28 scenes of which 2 were originals written by the teens.

They saw 1 dance recital, 1 music concert, and at least 42 plays (of which 8 were musicals and 3 were operas).

They completed 10 makeup projects.

And had the opportunity to take 18 workshops:  working with 9 different instructors.