Frantic Assembly Notes

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 Devised Theater: A method of theater-making where the script or performance score originates from collaborative/improvisatory work by a performing ensemble. 


  • Devised theater “typically begins with little more than a rehearsal space and a group of eager, committed theater practitioners” 

  • Decide on what kinds of stories they’d like to tell and how they’d like to tell them

  • Often begins without a script and the script gets “written” as the rehearsal process takes place through a series of improvisations and collaborations 

  • “A process in which the whole creative team develops a show collaboratively. From actors to technicians, everyone is involved in the creative process.” 

  • A strong tool in creating conversations within an audience 


Frantic Assembly: physical theater company 

  • One of the most studied theater companies 

  • Things I Know To Be True: tells the story of a family and marriage through the eyes of four grown siblings struggling to define themselves beyond their parents’ love and expectations 

  • Lots of physicality in the show – written by the actors? 

  • Want to make “brave and bold” theater 

  • Seems as if everything is choreographed, contemporary storytelling through movement 

  • - performers build back from their pieces simplest point, use building blacks to create a complex work 


After Watching Some Clips From Things I Know to be True

  • Very physical, at some points seems like acrobatics

  • Lots of lifting in the air and creating interesting visuals all the while acting 

  • Everything is very choreographed – every small movement has a purpose and is specific 

  • Incredible how actors continue to speak/act while being lifted up in the air 

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