ENSEMBLES: How to model one?

April 2, 2014 | Howlround theatre commons

Well-known for its multi-faceted productions of narrated and physical theatre, The TEAM, based in New York, devises with an ensemble—a core. Their dedication to process and devising reinforces a part of their artistic-based decision making model. 

Ensembles: Exploring Fools Fury

March 28, 2014 | Howlround Theatre Commons

foolsFURY is a theater ensemble from San Francisco that sees advantages in working with playwrights and devisors, and seizes opportunities to become a touring company. As they come up on their fifteenth year, artistic director Ben Yalom sheds some light on their transitions, and lets me in on how they are working toward what is next artistically and financially.

Ensembles: The Life and Times of Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble

March 14, 2014 | Howlround theatre commons

Alvina Krause, one of twentieth century’s most famous teachers of acting, believed, “if you can act Chekhov, you can act anything!” In the summer of 1976 she was 83 years old, long retired, yet still taking private students in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania…

Ensembles: Making and Paying for the Art

FEBRUARY 25, 2014 | HOWLROUND THEATRE COMMONS

Creating ensemble-based theater is one thing. Paying for it is another. Jeffrey Mosser does three case studies of established ensemble theaters exploring the creating and paying for the art.

The Psychology of the Audience: The Rules of Engagement

December 12, 2012

Over the eight hours of How to Build a Forest audience engagement was varied…. I sat on stage briefly while the forest grew. The “Builders” had a goal, and worked around me; I never got the feeling that they were “acting”—or that there was any sense of urgency. Every member of the Forest cast was present. In addition, Builders would occasionally come into the audience and open up a conversation by describing what was happening on stage.