Theatrical/Artistic Manifesto: Revised

Whenever I've been a part of a theatre company, we've spent mucho time working on a mission statement, a manifesto, a means to explain our aesthetic to potential audiences, a guidepost from which creation can occur. It's exciting, declaring what you aspire towards, and as I move towards the creation of a theatre piece I hope to spend significant time developing and traveling with, I realize it is time to review how my thoughts + put my ideals down on paper.

Here goes ---

Theatre (/Art) should constantly ask "What Can We Do?", and consistently provide alternative answers to that question, without concern of the outcome. The exercise in itself is a valuable contribution; it is only when the same old drudgery is served up that time and energy has been wasted. 

Theatre (/Art) must not simply happen, it should need to happen, and never as a showcase for an individual. There should be a punk sensibility, not in the sense that it must emulate anything, but that it must not concern itself with the opinions or restrictions imposed by other practitioners, audiences, or administration. It must say Fuck All that is not Great. It must be selfless.

Theatre (/Art) must constantly seek to express the truth without pretension, with as little interference or mediation possible. It must maintain authenticity and provide a direct and innovative progression upon the art form.

Theatre (/Art) must be utilitarian, yet multi-dimensional in content, structure and design. Spectacle is for the birds. The sum must be greater than the parts. A lot can be done DIY that cannot be done with a great deal of money.

Theatre (/Art) can and should be dangerous, enlightening, titillating, shocking, and humbling. It should unite, excite, enrage and embolden the viewer.  To borrow from Kafka, Theatre "...must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us." An audience should not simply bare witness to its existence, it should be profoundly different for having been in its presence. 

Moving forward, I will make media I desire to see. I will use the demands I hold other artists to as bare-minimum to what I hold myself accountable towards. I will do my best to create selflessly, or I will give up creating altogether.

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