by Peyvand Sadeghian

Tea, biscuits, crisp new stationery and a large blank studio. A seemingly familiar territory for anyone entering their first day in the rehearsal room.  However, Amy Clare Tasker starts off by introducing a quite unfamiliar way of working using principles of Harrison Owen’s Open Space. Essentially this is a method of self-organisation and acceptance.

In one way or another, we’re all in the room because we want to explore the processes of devised theatre from conception to production. How we do this is up to us.  And if at any point in the day I feel the urge to take myself out, I can do that too. My habitually inclined, structured self is hit with pangs of anxiety and excitement at once. 

The walls are quickly filled with questions, individually proposed, of what we want to tackle. Then the hard part comes – choosing what you want to address. At this stage you can choose to convene a session, claim a spot in the room and anyone who wants to join, can. Or not, and that’s ok too. With first-day politeness, and palpable FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), the group at first hesitates on the spot, fixed focus on the question-filled wall in front…until a brave, decisive few follow their impulses and the group splits as required.

Discussions ranged from fundraising, attracting audiences, how we experience music. It was liberating to take ownership of what you, in that moment in time, want to work through.  The wealth of experience and approaches of the other artists became clear, and with this comes possibilities.  We’re responsible for our own experiences, and our only resource is ourselves. However, this is more than enough. The skill and knowledge in the room is high, and offered with joy and passion.

Devised theatre is not a genre, but a process, and it is in this uncertainty of outcome which makes it a natural habitant of the Open Space.  Nothing is stagnant, and this allows you to explore and build. I have no idea what I will come away with by the end of the 2 weeks, but I am certain there will be a change, and look forward more discovery in the days ahead. 

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IMAGE: Jennifer Kay calls a session by taping her idea to the wall. Photo by Anne Rene Brashier.