7 Rules for Good Theatre

1. Plays should not be exclusively dramatic or comedic.  All works should contain elements of each genre, although they can lean heavily to one side.

2. Artists will be encouraged to be as creative and ingenuous as possible in their work.  The only real limitation to this is that nothing should be added that doesn't add to the plot, establish setting/mood, or help character development.  So no filler bits.

3. All directors, designers, cast, and crew have to complement one another's work to present a shared cohesive vision based on collaboration.  

4. In deciding what plays to produce for any given season, special consideration will be given to plays that are thought provoking and exhibit a social conscience.

5. When it is appropriate to the piece, plays should be performed in site specific spaces in nature and non-traditional settings like abandoned buildings and ruins.  This will help to expand the audience's viewpoint and experience of the play.

6. Plays should lend themselves to various interpretations.  The actors should have the freedom to explore each scene differently than the performance before, permitting themselves to always make discoveries.

***I wanted to say something related to Rule 6 in class today but we ran out of time. One of the reasons I was so intrigued by Poof!! In Movement is because while I sat there watching the performance endless story possibilities filled my mind given the dancers in front of me.  Afterwards I compared notes with my boyfriend, telling him that I thought the creatures represented a childlike aspect of human nature that is selfish and destructive and sometimes malicious.  He said he drew an opposite interpretation where the creatures were innocent and just playing around having fun.  I thought on it for awhile and decided that there were infinite tellings of what went on there, changing from spectator to spectator which made the piece very unique.

7. It doesn't have to be earth shattering but the end of the play should be one of the most, if not the most, memorable moment of the entire piece.