Table of Contents
Preface xi
Introduction 3
Part 1 Tectonic's Antecedents, History, and Approach 7
Antecedents 9
Postmodernism and Deconstruction 9
History 15
Approach 19
The Most Prevalent Process of Playwriting 19
Defining Devised 20
Form and Content 21
Theatrical Narrative vs. Dramatic Narrative 22
Collaboration 23
The Role of the Theater Artist 23
Part 2 The Moment Work Process 25
Level 1 Making Moments 29
Prepping the Space 29
Introducing the Elements of the Stage 30
Introducing the Moment Work Construct: I begin/I end 37
Two-Person Moments 39
Group Moments 42
Concepts: Defining Moments and Moment Work 43
Architecture and Space Moments 44
Concepts: Tools for Critique 50
Prop Moments 54
Concepts: Discursive Power, Logging, and Sharing Moments 60
Costume Moments 63
Concepts: Discursive Line, Narrative Flexibility, and Layering 72
Light Moments 76
Concepts: Tension, Dynamic Change, and Scoring 88
Sound Moments 91
Text Moments 108
Adding Texts to Preexisting Moments 109
Some Additional Elements 120
Level 2 Constructing Short Narratives 125
Consecutive Sequencing 127
Moment Layering 128
Context 131
Additional Structuring Took 134
Level 3 Creating a Piece 153
The Hunch 153
Source Material 154
Organizing Principles 157
Using Throughlines 158
The Plays 160
Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde 160
The Laramie Project 176
I Am My Own Wife 212
33 Variations 218
One Arm 226
The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later 235
Uncommon Sense 242
Part 3 Essays 249
What Do We Bring into the Room? Andy Paris 253
Interview Technique, Research, and Fieldwork: Muster Some Nerve and Embark Greg Pierotti 259
A Team of Dramaturgs Jimmy Maize 271
Writing into Form: Creating the People's Temple Leigh Fondakowski 275
Brecht and the Use of the Narrator in Tectonic Plays Moisés Kaufman 283
Devising a Moment Work Play with College Students Kelli Simpkins 287
Afterword 295
Company Members' Biographies 297
Acknowledgments 305