Une grande mise en Scène

What can we say about the Performing Arts? In the literal sense, it's the creative faculties of man, performed for an audience, mostly on a stage. Atmospheric in nature. Inherently dramatic. It captures experience and envelops the audience in it's redolence. Those that partake in the act of enacting on stage, do so with the cultural values that permeate the civilisation it is produced in, alongside the traditions of theatre itself. Yes, the very essence of theatre itself is historical convention. The culmination of centuries of practical ingenuity and expert craftmanship, from thespian to technician, that works together to realise a performance. After 5 years working in theatre, I feel I finally have a little understanding of the cultural importance and significance, the Performing Arts play in modern day society.

The world of Theatre is not too far removed from the realm of Film & Television. Technically speaking, it follows the same basic components that get a performance from the conceptual stage to 'opening of the house'. Like most productions, everything starts with...

1) The Script

Before anything can begin, the ideas that structure a work must be collated. These will act as the framework to get through all the stages of production with purpose and vision. If it is a narrative that's being presented, some form of script needs to be developed. This will act as the construction of the story, and will inform all departments involved in it's invention on what to do to create it. In the case of a play, there are specific conventions which are usually followed. For one, most plays follow a three act structure:

• Protasis (Exposition)
• Epitasis (Complication)
• Catastrophe (Resolution)

These define the pacing of the story. Exposition provides the information that describes and/or explains the characters, and the world your play is set in to the audience. Complication presents the dilemma that your characters face, alongside all of the trials and tribulations that they undergo. Resolution is the climax, where all of the narrative elements come together, forming the dénouement of the story. These three acts are a general system, and don't necessarily have to be utilised, although it is important to recognise why they are ubiquitous for playwrights.

When a play is performed, they are usually separated into two acts, with an interval in the middle. It's important to remember that you are creating something that will be performed to an audience, so they also need to be considered during the development of the narrative.

Using the script format is not necessary for every performing arts production, especially if it's not intended to be a planned, cohesive narrative. Regardless, it is imperative that some sort of structure is used to ensure everything remains on track, during production and during performance. I have worked on many shows that didn't prepare a structure for itself through production to the opening of the house (the play being performed to an audience), and it wasn't pretty. If you have any respect for aesthetic quality, you'll prepare a "script" for your play.

2) Pre-Production

Here is where the theoretical becomes practical. Where ideas start to be realised, and the play takes shape. The "script" is broken down into actionable elements. Do your characters perform the story in various locations? Sets need to be built that represent the setting, including any scenery that decorates them. If your characters are wearing clothes, then costumes must be made for every outfit they wear. Do they interact with anything at all? Properties (props for short) have to be acquired so that they can be used by the actors on stage. To create a particular look, lighting rigs and systems need to be set up, plotted and operated during the show. The same applies to any sound requirements, special effects (like pyrotechnics) and general rigging on stage.

Of course, no one can forget that you need actors to play the characters you have. They need to be auditioned and casted, given the script to learn and the space to rehearse so that they can perform effectively. You also need technicians; professionals that understand how to work on their respective departments (stage, lighting and sound), who can 'get in' all the equipment, rig, plot and operate during the show. I've vastly oversimplified the process involved, but this is an outline of the requirements you need for contemporary productions.

This shouldn't be an issue however. A good production is in essential need of the right team making necessary decisions, ensuring that it is at it's very best and goes up smoothly, with as little hiccups as possible. When all of these things are prepared, that's when you move onto...

3) Technical & Dress Rehearsals

Everyone knows their roles. Everyone knows their lines. Now it's time for action. Sort of. The next step is ensuring that a production can actually play out for an audience from start to finish.

Technical Rehearsals

The actors perform on stage, usually without costumes, while the LX, Sound and Stage Technicians perform their tracks (a list of actions required to run the show). Theses rehearsals are quite haphazard, as the technicians work out synchronising their duties to facilitate a cohesive performance. There will be a lot of stop and start. During this time, the actors will be blocked (positioned) as to where they should be on stage, and what marks (spots) they should be hitting during their scenes. There is a scheduled amount of time for this process, and by the end, the technicians and actors should be able to run through the entire show with no problems. After Technical Rehearsals, the presentation of the performance will be clear, and the production team will know how it appears to the audience.

Dress Rehearsals

Once that is complete, the show is performed entirely with the actors in costume. Thanks to the Technical Rehearsals, the Dress should run smoothly, and essentially present the same way as the final show. The creatives will make last minute changes, if necessary. Usually, the last rehearsal done is an Open Dress, where there will be limited audience members present to see it. Essentially, it's the first performance made available to the public (sometimes this stage is restricted to friends and family of the production staff).

After Dress Rehearsals, we have...

3) Opening of the House

Show Operators know their roles. Actors & Actresses know their lines. The show beginners are in costume and at their positions. Everything is ready. All that is left is to 'Open the House' and let the audience members get to their seats. The curtains open and the performance begins. Here is where all the culmination of everyone's hard work comes to fruition. The play runs through smoothly and you all receive a loud, long standing ovation from the crowd. There is no feeling of elation that matches the mood that comes from a show, performed well with delighted spectators.

I'm generalising the process but I'm articulating the dream of Performing Arts. The intention, if you will. Being able to bring everything together and produce something for an audience is a difficult, yet worthwhile endeavour. It's an important form of entertainment as it inherently cultivates ambience, with the energy from the cast and audience interacting in real time. Each performance is different because of this, especially in the more interactive formations of plays, such as pantomimes. Due to the uniqueness of the environment for this craft, it still offers much sought for value, despite there being competing mediums that offer much better convenience to a congregation.  The heritage of the arts most certainly lives on, and will continue for future generations, taking it's place as the touchstone of intellectual development in culture and leisure.