Devised Theatre Initiative

Devised Coordinator

Brittney Harris
Virginia Tech
b1harris@vt.edu

Students are encouraged to form teams to participate in the Devised Theatre Initiative!

2024-2025 Prompt:

Lost and Found

Prompt Overview

Create a 7-10 minute piece of theatre that explores how the theme of “Lost and Found” fuels your creativity, drawing from the journeys of both losing and finding. As you begin, reflect on the different meanings this theme can evoke. Consider images, sayings, and pop culture references that resonate with you as you dive into your exploration.

Below are some ideas to inspire you—feel free to expand upon them, combine them, or embark on your own unique discoveries and interpretations:

Relational/Interpersonal: Reconnecting with someone from the past, exploring
reconciliation, or reviving old friendships and loves.
Popular Saying/Theme: “X marks the spot” — what hidden treasures or truths await
discovery?
Imagery and Symbolism: Objects or memories once thought lost, now rediscovered,
evoking deep emotions and dreams.
Locations/Landscapes: Imagine a lost city, a hidden garden, or a deserted island—what
stories do these places tell when found?

You may use any theatrical style that is suitable to you. Be sure to include some fundamental
elements of theatre as your imagination allows, and you are technically able:

Music/sound (live or recorded)
Costuming/uniformity
Set/staging
Lighting
Movement/dance

Still need more devising details or info? See How to Create: General Devising Structure below.

Timeline

Info Sessions – November 4 and 15 (sign up here)
Registration/Submission deadline – December 20, 2024 (registration info below)
Presentations and Feedback – February 7, 2025 ( at Festival)
- One piece will be selected by the collective participants in the devised program to be performed at the Saturday night Gala.
Devised Theatre Workshop session and conversation – TBA – during the festival

Logistics and Parameters

Ensemble submissions have a 15-minute time limit, which must include set-up, performance, and strike. (Set-up and strike can be part of the performance.)
Ensemble members should take on multiple roles in the creative process. While performance is one aspect, it’s not required. Each contribution should support the overall piece. Trust your ensemble and appreciate the unique perspectives they bring.
Faculty advisors may provide outside-eye feedback, but the work should be student-driven.
No live flames, smoking, or functional weapons are permitted.
Lighting control is limited to basic up and down adjustments. If you need additional lighting effects, you must bring your own source and extension cords—no theatrical lighting will be provided.
You are responsible for your own sound source.
Ensembles should adhere to their institution’s health and safety guidelines.

Approximately 16’x16′ playing space (ensemble determines audience placement and interaction)

What to Expect at the Festival?

Each ensemble will present their material live at the festival, with guest artists and regional faculty providing brief feedback. Devisers will be expected to discuss their work, offering insights into their process, content, context, and performance reflections.

The collective group of devised artists (students and guest artists) will then select one piece to be featured at the closing night Gala.

Participating in the Festival

To participate in Region IV, please send an email of intent to Brittney Harris, b1harris@vt.edu.
Schools may submit multiple groups for the devising project.
Include the following information in your submission:

Name of School
Title of your work
Name and email of a faculty advisor
Name, email, and phone number of a lead contact participant
A cast list
There will be additional process for registering your ensemble.

More Information About Devising

How to Create: General Devising Structure

Devising isn’t an aesthetic, it’s a process. This approach to creating new work includes multiple aesthetics, production value spectrums, and performance styles.
Ensembles can select their sources of inspiration as their creative container (examples: a photograph, a poem, a fictional or non-fictional short story, a memory, interviews, a question, etc.)
Each ensemble can create a unique performance vocabulary informed by their source materials. This vocabulary should include movement, voice, visual image, sonic landscape, text, and scenic environment and communicate the piece’s style and aesthetic.

Ensemble should consider time restraints and travel considerations. These parameters are designed to form a creative container to spark your imaginations and deepen your exploration.

Articles on Devising and its Process

“What is Devised Theatre?” Posted by Martine Kei Green-Rogers, THEATRE TIMES, https://thetheatretimes.com/what-is-devised-theatre/
“Devised theatre: Ten Tips for a Truly Creative Collaboration” Posted by John Walton, THE GUARDIAN, https://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/2014/dec/16/devised-theatre-ten-tips-collaboration

Contact for Questions

KCACTF Region IV Devised Coordinator:

Brittney Harris
Virginia Tech
b1harris@vt.edu