The Long Drive: Experiments in Theatre Creation

The following thesis records the process of writing, developing, rehearsing, and performing a solo theatre show called All The Birds in Their Bird Houses. It is a personal process that explores doubt and fear as both hindrance and catalyst for creation. It examines storytelling techniques via mask, cartooning, clown, and automaton. It touches on Anne Bogarts Viewpoints, Jerzy Grotowskis River Work, as well as the emotional colour wheel of Dr. Robert Plutchik. Ultimately it seeks to define and identify the concepts of risk and depth in theatre and how those concepts can be applied and utilized in the creation of solo theatre.