Word Shows

I will not have any characters that talk to each other. There may be characters on stage but they should not talk to each other.

I may not have characters at all.

I will not attempt to confuse, but to disorient (both in the sense of destabilizing place, time and identity structures as well as in the sense of losing value bearings).

I will roll my own eyes if I do something ridiculous.

There should be no significant reference made without the appearance of its double at some later point in the show. The doubling or retelling often contradicts or repeats the original.

I enjoy a good story. I will tell many of them at the same time.

I will use words to make these shows. The words will be everything, talk is free.

I will also use sound, but in a way that frames, accompanies, and fills out the words.

Every word show should have more than one title because nothing should have just one title.

Every word show should have a detailed program that could act as a piece of literature in itself.

I will apply Brechtian contradictions: When the show is sad, I will make them laugh. When the show is happy, I will make them sad.

I will use the only kind of magic that the theatre can promise: the kind that fails.

I will use words to create solid objects (this is not imagery, but scenography).

The words will be the key towards constructing – or alluding to – meaning; but they will be their own worst enemy. I am not profound enough to say anything profound, but I can and will layer words over words in a psycho-linguistic sleight of hand to be taken in and made more profound by more profound people.