Types of Performance Spaces- Created/Found Space

Today we learnt about created/found spaces. These spaces utilise the environment around us to create performance spaces and can be created by modifying the environment.  Created/found spaces are non-traditional- such as a basement of a building, the side of a hill, or even the street.

For today's main activity we had to find a part of the school that could be used for a performance space and then perform a short scene, using "the invitation" as our stimulus. This activity relates to the focus subject of the lesson as we were creating theatre spaces and learning how to perform on them. The desired outcome was to successfully perform an entertaining scene, using our created/found space. 

My group did a scene based on the T.V show "The Bachelor". We performed our scene in the quad facing the basketball courts, and used the stairwell as a wing; we also used the seats where the audience was sitting during our performance. Our scene started with a recount of the "previous episode" with Amy doing a voice over and Ricky, Olivia, and I acting out what the voice over was saying using mime. Then, the two contestants (Olivia and I) were introduced and Ricky was asked to "invite" one of us to win the show by giving us the rose. In a twist of events Ricky chose the host. We utilised the elements of drama during this scene by: creating dramatic tension which built up when Ricky was deciding who to choose and then climaxed when he chose the host; and audience engagement as part of the performance took place within the audience itself.

Another group did a scene where the audience sat at a table and they used the table as if they were at a store sale and fighting for clothes. This created/found space was effective because it made you feel like you were a part of the action taking place in the scene.