Collaboration is the most important facet of any theatrical company. From the performers on stage to the choreographers, designers and technicians working behind the scenes, this book considers all departments working on a production and instructs them on how to unify their individual skills towards a shared goal.
From Vaudeville to classical opera, this book establishes the skills that each specialist brings to the production process before demonstrating how each individual contribution can be utilized in tandem with all other creative teams.
With particular focus on enhancing interdepartmental communication, Collaborating Backstage examines all the challenges that may befall artistic companies and projects made up of many different parts. This book explains how to understand technical jargon within teams that speak a variety of languages and come from different cultural backgrounds; how to recognise and follow the 'unwritten rules' of theatre; and how best to achieve the ultimate creative potential of a team working completely in sync.
Underpinned by incisive theories on performance, communication and creativity, Collaborating Backstage is full of helpful illustrations and innovative methods to achieve effective working relationships in the theatre.
Introduction
1 Creativity backstage
What this chapter is about
Creative productions
Skills and creativity
The personal bag of experiences
Improving personal creativity
The production's bag of experiences
Improving team creativity
Creativity and communication
2 The scenery of cooperation
What this chapter is about
Uniqueness
Multiplying the impact
Hierarchical and egalitarian structures
Department line-ups
Job profiles
Team leaders
The Responsibility Pyramid
The Backstage Network Model
Avenues of communication
Shortcut communication?
3 Intercultural alignment
What this chapter is about
Recipes for cultures
The family
The melting Pot of the performing arts
Regional and social cultures
Cultural themes
Working with culture shocks
The roots of action
Differences and similarities
Perception of time
Language
Stage right"
Establish a language, create a culture
4 Improving conditions
What this chapter is about
What we can learn from chickens
The optimal team
Positivity
Keystones for commitment
Physical shape
Preparatory research
Mind our own business
Knowing ourselves
Personal requirements
Presenting ourselves
Enabling access
A punchline introduction
The condition of our materials
Names
Body language
Handshake quality
Trust and fear
Avoiding "No!"
Reading routines
Breaking routines
Sense of humor
Post-processing
5 The Creative exchange
What this chapter is about
Freedom through directions
The T-I-M-O technique
Task
Intention
Match
Organize
Why and when?
Collaborating with the audience
6 Tools and tricks
What this chapter is about
Ideology
Rehearsals and setup
On the road
7 Summary
Notes
Bibliography
Index
