Devising theatre

What is the course about?

Devised theatre begins with an idea — a spark of inspiration — and explores how to grow that spark into a piece for performance. As part of this course, we will look closely at how to generate those ideas in the first place: using improvisation, and other techniques such as images, physical exploration, and creative prompts to ignite the imagination. A fleeting moment, a gesture, or a fragment of curiosity can evolve into a rich story or concept.  Developing those ideas takes curiosity and a willingness to explore, which is exactly what this course offers. Across the sessions, you’ll dive into the skills needed as you use playfulness and experiment with a range of devising approaches to discover how to expand early ideas, and explore the essential building blocks that help shape material into something more substantial. 

What will we cover?

Over the two sessions we will explore what devised theatre is and how it can be useful in any and all theatre and film-based settings, specifically if you’re wanting to work with your own ideas and struggling how to get them from your imagination and into reality! We’ll begin by looking at how we generate ideas and getting all the rough material out of our heads and into the rehearsal space. From there, we’ll experiment with different ways of putting early ideas on their feet, testing approaches to see what best serves the story we want to tell. 

We’ll use creative‑mining techniques to spark fresh ideas, settings, and character possibilities, and look at how these early elements can begin to grow into a larger piece. We’ll then experiment with simple ways of shaping concept and structure before developing a rough first draft in small groups, and ending with an informal showing of the final work. Throughout the course we will dabble in various theory/text based methodologies alongside abstract and physical approaches from the Theatre landscape.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Confidently describe what devised theatre is and identify how it functions as a performance style.
• Use a practical toolkit of idea‑generation and devising techniques to create material individually and in small groups.
• Develop and build on ideas explored in class, extending them into early material for future creative work.
• Apply approaches from key theatre practitioners, drawing on their methods to support your own devising process.
• Outline a basic structure for a devised piece, demonstrating an understanding of how performance material can be shaped from the ground up.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Some previous acting experience is recommended — for example, you should have completed an  Acting: improvers course here at City Lit or the equivalent elsewhere. 

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Teaching will include practical class work, Improvisational scenarios potentially in groups and alone, discussions, observation and supportive feedback for individual and group awareness.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

A pencil and paper/notebook will be useful.  Please wear comfortable and appropriate clothing that allows for ease of movement, as if you were going to the gym. There may be points where we will be working barefoot. If you cant work bare foot you will need specific grip socks. For safety and practicality, absolutely no jeans or boots.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You will benefit from any general acting class such as Acting: Scenes to performance, Acting Summer School, Mask,  Movement for Actors, Mime, Clowning & physical Comedy,