The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

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getting spects to do things without instructing them

A long time ago I was a ballroom dancer with my sister. When we danced, people were always impressed. To be honest, I wasn’t very good. My sister, though, was brilliant. Not only could she follow, she could backlead.

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When you stop acting, you become vulnerable. It can feel embarrassing to drop your defenses and be seen in a completely vulnerable state. The thing is, others love to see you when you let down your guard. That’s why it’s so compelling to watch children play. When they let loose and dance like fairies or roar like dragons, it’s compelling to behold.

Exercises

Do something that you loved to do when you were a child. (E.g., riding a bike, coloring with crayons, playing with dolls.) Do it in the way you did it when you were a child.

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There are many ways to practice interactive performance technique. Here are the four standard modes.

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Have you ever seen wolf pups play? They’re ferocious. They growl, snarl, pounce, and bite, but they don’t pierce the skin or draw blood. This is because they’re engaged in play. Play can be ferocious while also being safe and fun.

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intuitive play without concern for technique
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An expert is anyone who has specialized knowledge. As an inter-actor, you play people from many professions and walks of life. It might be a senator, a scientist, or a psychic. The more you know, the more you have to play with, but you can’t know it all. Here are some ways to play experts with limited knowledge.

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A two-person scene is easy to manage. You and the spect have only the other person to consider. Add another player and things get a little more challenging. Add several more players and things become even trickier.

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Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance