Students on the Fess Parker Stage reading text for overhead, a skylark called, the Sinatra Project, 2025. (Image courtesy of SCU Department of Theatre & Dance)
Devised Theatre
In devised theatre all the ensemble members, from actors to designers, participate in all or most stages of the creative process, from conception to presentation. Devising often involves collective creation, in which every member of the group works on an equal footing with the rest. It is often contrasted with the more traditional sequence in which the playwright writes a play, the director and production team determine its artistic vision, and the actors and crew then work together to present the final performance. It often features unpredictable working methods and may involve improvisation, co-authorship, and the sharing of creative roles. There are many different kinds of devised performances, from dance theater to documentary, and the term "devised" denotes a process more than a product.
A devising process starts with a "departure point," a starting point for the ensemble's work. The departure point is sometimes a question (such as "What do you call home?") or an organizing image. A departure point, combined with the abilities of the ensemble members, helps create unique theatrical works.
The following books, essays, and videos provide more insight into the history and working methods of devised theatre, along with information on some well known devised theatre companies and examples of devised plays and productions.
Background Sources on Devised Theatre
- Devising Performance: A Critical HistoryThis book, a history of devising practice from the 1950s to the early 21st century, discusses the work of many of the most important devising ensembles from Britain, America, and Australia.
- American Theatre Ensembles. Volume 1, Post-1970 [ONLINE RESOURCE]This book presents the history, processes, and achievements of American theatre companies renowned for their use of collective and/or ensemble-based techniques to generate new work, from 1970 to 1995.
- American Theatre Ensembles. Volume 2, Post-1995 [ONLINE RESOURCE]This volume presents the history, processes, and achievements of American theatre companies renowned for their use of collective and/or ensemble-based techniques to generate new work, from 1996 to the first two decades of the 21st century.
- Devising Theatre: Getting Started [ONLINE RESOURCE]This essay, appearing in the database Drama Online, offers a guide to getting started with devising, presenting a way to think about structuring devised work from the many methods available.
- Devised Theatre [ONLINE RESOURCE]This section in the database Digital Theatre+ provides access to all the filmed productions, documentary videos, written materials, and teaching resources available in this database about devised theatre.
Devised Theatre Companies
The following books discuss some of the more influential devised theatre companies.
Devised Plays
The following plays were made through various devising processes.
- A Disappearing NumberThis is the script for the play.
- A Disappearing Number : Production [ONLINE RESOURCE]This is a filmed performance of the play.
- Jane Eyre: Based on the Novel by Charlotte BrontëThis is the script of the play.
- National Theatre at Home: Jane Eyre [ONLINE RESOURCE]This set of videos provides rich insights into the National Theatre's devised version of Jane Eyre.