Devising Theatre with Stan’s Cafe

Description

Since it was founded in 1991, British theatre company Stan’s Cafe has garnered an international reputation for artistic innovation, and prolific, eclectic performance projects. Their work has toured nationally and internationally, with 2003's Of All The People In All The World having been performed in over fifty cities around the world. Embracing site-specific, immersive, durational, non-text-based as well as scripted work, Stan's Cafe's portfolio defies simple categorization. Running through all their work however is a collaborative devising process that champions a playful experimentation with form. Devising Theatre with Stan’s Cafe reveals and reflects on their theatre-making process, providing an illuminating and accessible account of their work and the approaches, techniques and philosophies which underpin and inspire it. Co-authored by artistic director James Yarker and Dr Mark Crossley, the book is places their work within wider context of contemporary theatre and is the perfect companion to anyone looking to make their own original theatre or performance work. For theatre students, fans and theatre-makers, Devising Theatre with Stan’s Cafe is an inspiring account and practical guide to contemporary performance practice Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Preface: Some Thoughts on Reading the Book Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: The Route to @AE Harris Chapter 3: Stan in Context What’s in this chapter? What is this eclectic thing they do? Where did it all start? Birmingham: The early years and artistic influences Ethos and aesthetic Local, national and international profile Conclusion Chapter 4: Ideas What’s in this chapter? Who has the ideas? Why are ‘you’ theatre? Making sense Constellations across time Constraints ‘Locating’ the idea Conclusion Stan in action: Ideas Chapter 5: Rehearsing and Directing What’s in this chapter? Rehearsals as war: An introduction from the commander in chief Tools for the job Is tea a warm up? Evolving methods Collaboration Editing Directing A final thought on the future of rehearsal Stan in action: Rehearsing and directing Chapter 6: Text What’s in this chapter? Setting the scene Stan’s Cafe’s approach to text Text types Organic text Notational text Instructional text Pure, written texts Conclusion Stan in action: Text Chapter 7: Space and Time What’s in this chapter? Setting the scene Space Time Playing with spatial dimensions Scenography Time as form Real time and extra time The Cleansing of Constance Brown: An experiment in space and time Stan in action: Space and time Chapter 8: Performing What’s in this chapter? Setting the scene Bigger pictures: Keeping an understated eye on the whole Here and there: Negotiating persona and character What is necessary Performance and text Conclusion Stan in action: Performing Chapter 9: Audience What’s in this chapter? Setting the scene Stan’s Cafe and audience Co-authorship Audience, space and time Audience as performer Conclusion Stan in action: Audience Chapter 10: Finale Chapter 11: Things in the Wings Things in the wings: Introduction Things in the wings: The route to @AE Harris Things in the wings: Stan in context Things in the wings: Ideas Things in the wings: Rehearsing and directing Things in the wings: Text Things in the wings: Space and time Things in the wings: Performing Things in the wings: Audience Bibliography About the Authors Index