There are still spaces available if this interests you at all, artist and audience members alike, and you can register online. Prices are purposefully low so that everyone is able to attend. It takes place this Friday and Saturday (Nov. 26 and 27). There is also a Social Bar happening on Friday evening for anyone to attend as well if you cannot make it to the conference so consider coming out!
This is a blog post by Sue Porter, GVPTA Executive Director, explaining Open Spaces:
By Sue Porter, GVPTA Executive Director
So, we’ve been talking a lot about the upcoming Making a Scene Conference and crowing about how excited we are that it will be held in a brand new format – Open Space. Well, that’s all well and good for us to say, but you may be asking yourself, “What is Open Space anyway, and why the heck are they so excited?”
When I was first approached with this idea and the possibility of having Improbable Theatre come over to lead us through it, I went to Improbable”s website where Phelim McDermott had posted his thoughts on Open Space. Open Space was originally created by Harrison Owen and has been used around the world since 1985 (for more on the history of Open Space, click here), but in reading Phelim’s description, here is what got me excited right away:
The Four Principles Of OPEN SPACE
- Whoever comes is the right people.
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.
- Whenever it starts is the right time.
- When it is over, it is over.
THE ONE LAW of OPEN SPACE – THE LAW OF TWO FEET:
If at any time you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing… use your two feet.
And finally,
Typically by the conclusion of a meeting, the following promises have been kept:
- Every issue of concern to anybody has been laid upon the table.
- All issues have been discussed to the extent that anybody cared to do that.
- A full written record of all discussions exists and is in the hands of all participants.
How cool is that??
I began to envision our Making a Scene conference in this format – as an “extended coffee break” where people of like minds get to sit together and really talk about issues that matter most to them in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Lynn Gardiner, theatre critic for the Guardian in the UK, attended one of Improbable’s “Devoted & Disgruntled” conferences in London and wrote,
“It was an exhausting and energising 48 hours made all the better by the fact that experienced theatre-makers rubbed shoulders on equal terms with those just starting out in the profession, those who create live art sat cheek by jowl with those who put on plays, people from touring companies could talk directly with artistic directors running buildings, and producers, actors, marketers, directors and, yes, even critics, were all on an equal footing.”
Imagine a group where we become each other’s teachers and leaders! Imagine a group of participants that includes not only theatre “professionals”, but EVERYONE who loves theatre and cares about the future of the arts in this province. The more I learn about Open Space, the more I am coming to understand that this conference will be highly productive and highly rewarding, but in a uniquely different way than a traditional conference. It will also probably be a bit chaotic, incredibly energizing and, I expect, A LOT OF FUN! No one will be in control, no one will be the “expert”, and this whirlwind of activity will be guided by the simple principles listed above, and the skillful help and guidance of our expert facilitators, Phelim and Matilda.
What will come out of this conference? I envision that the discussions begun during the conference will lead to more in depth considerations. Perhaps it will provide the GVPTA with topics for future workshops. Perhaps it will spawn task-forces of like-minded individuals. Perhaps it will lead to future mini D&D’s on a regular basis, hosted by the GVPTA. Most importantly, I hope that it will re-invigorate and re-energize our community. Lord knows the last year has beaten us all down a little bit. But it is entirely within our capabilities to bolster each other up, to find cooperative means of mutual support and empowerment, to discover new and creative means to approach the challenges that face us, and to reconnect with the art, the artists and the love of the craft that drew us into the theatre in the first place.
Am I being naive and idealistic to expect such lofty goals from two days? Perhaps. What can I say? I’m a cup half full kind of girl. And I believe that this community has great power, great passion and more than enough great ideas to make all of this possible. And I’m more excited about this conference than I have been about any conference in a long time.
‘Nuff said. I look forward to continuing the conversation with all of you on Nov. 26 & 27th.
