The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

Once in a while, the spect will make an offer that appears to violate the context that has been established. An effective way to handle this situation is to encompass the spect’s offer by expanding the context. Find a way that the spect’s offer can make sense within the story.

He drew a circle to shut me out…we drew a circle that took him in.
- Edwin Markham

This technique can also be used when someone contradicts something you have in mind that hasn’t been established. Instead of abandoning your original idea, look for a way to combine the two ideas. What might first appear to be a block becomes a modification of the idea you had in mind.

Lloyd has begun with the assumption that he and Gwen are on their honeymoon, lounging on a beach, enjoying the moonlight. Edith enters, saying “Alright kids, get your lazy butts in gear. It’s time for dinner.” At first Lloyd feels like his idea has been violated, but then he realizes he can expand and define the context to encompass Edith’s offer. He says to his new wife, “I know it’s your mom’s condo, but this is our honeymoon. Tomorrow we’re getting a hotel room on the other side of the island.”

When others do things that seem to mess things up, look for the way to encompass their offer.