Site specific theatre
Encyclopedia
Site-specific theatre is most simply defined as a performance which exists in a particular place. However, there remains a widespread debate about any more precise a definition. Some argue that any performance which takes place outside a theatre can be labeled site-specific. Other more rigorous practitioners argue that the title can only be applied to a production which has been developed in, developed from, and performed in, a specific place.
For example, if a company stages a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in a forest, is it site-specific? If one is concerned only with meeting the requirements of the basic definitions of the words "site" and "specific" then, yes, that production may be called site-specific. If that were the case though, some argue, any production could be called site-specific because it has been staged with adherence to the physical limitations of the space. This is why others contend that a production should meet more stringent requirements before being called site-specific. They say a production should be developed in the space and be, in some way, about the space. It should also not be able to be performed outside the space.
It is important here to distinguish between site-specific and site-generic. (A term possibly coined by Andy Field in a blog in the UK Guardian, 6/2/08) If a company created a play for a football pitch, and then could tour that production to any football pitch in the world, it should be called site-generic. If it created a work for a specific pitch, where they addressed the issues, people, myths, and context of that pitch - then it should be called site-specific.
In the absence of any formal association of site-specific practitioners, the definition of site-specific will remain malleable.
, staged in an allegedly haunted nightclub, and Small Metal Objects, staged by Australia's Back To Back Theater at the Whitehall Ferry Terminal. Another example of this form is the Ramlila
, dramatic enactment of Hindu epic, Ramayana
, started in 1830 by Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh
of Varanasi. It is held each year over the period of 31 days, during autumn festive season of Dussehra
at Ramnagar, Varanasi
in India, and is staged in permanent structures created as sets throughout the three square mile area, where the audience follow the actors. Ramlila has been declared by the UNESCO
as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
in 2005.
N.B. These are examples of productions which have been labeled site-specific simply because they took place outside a traditional theatre space. A strong argument can be made here that more information is needed to know whether or not these productions are specific to the site or if they are "site-generic" meaning they could be staged in any physically similar venue.The promendae theater has the audience involved
A secondary definition of environmental theater is used to describe any production that attempts to immerse the audience in the performance by bringing the action off the stage area. For example, some acting may happen in aisles. In the case of a black box theater
acting platforms may even be built between audience section. Sometimes a performer will talk to, or otherwise involve an audience member in a scene. This can be a real audience member, as in interactive theater
, or an actor planted to appear as an audience member.
There are a couple variations on site-specific work worth noting. They include:
For example, if a company stages a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in a forest, is it site-specific? If one is concerned only with meeting the requirements of the basic definitions of the words "site" and "specific" then, yes, that production may be called site-specific. If that were the case though, some argue, any production could be called site-specific because it has been staged with adherence to the physical limitations of the space. This is why others contend that a production should meet more stringent requirements before being called site-specific. They say a production should be developed in the space and be, in some way, about the space. It should also not be able to be performed outside the space.
It is important here to distinguish between site-specific and site-generic. (A term possibly coined by Andy Field in a blog in the UK Guardian, 6/2/08) If a company created a play for a football pitch, and then could tour that production to any football pitch in the world, it should be called site-generic. If it created a work for a specific pitch, where they addressed the issues, people, myths, and context of that pitch - then it should be called site-specific.
In the absence of any formal association of site-specific practitioners, the definition of site-specific will remain malleable.
Examples
Examples of site-specific theatre include Psycho-So-Matic and Downsize, staged by Chicago's Walkabout Theater in a landromat and a series of public restrooms, respectively; Girls Just Wanna Have Fund$, staged by Women's Project in the lobbies, escalators, and bridges of New York's World Financial Center; Supernatural ChicagoSupernatural Chicago
Supernatural Chicago, currently in its seventh year of performances, has become a mainstay of the Chicago theater scene. The show opened on the appropriately superstition-tinged date of Friday the 13th in February 2004, and continues in an open-ended run....
, staged in an allegedly haunted nightclub, and Small Metal Objects, staged by Australia's Back To Back Theater at the Whitehall Ferry Terminal. Another example of this form is the Ramlila
Ramlila
Ramlila is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Lord Ram, ending up in ten day battle between Lord Ram and Ravan, as described in the Hindu religious epic, the Ramayana...
, dramatic enactment of Hindu epic, Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
, started in 1830 by Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh
Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh
Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh , of the Royal House of Benares, was the Kashi Naresh from . He was the eldest surviving son of Mahipat Narayan Singh.He had a great contribution in the culture of Varanasi....
of Varanasi. It is held each year over the period of 31 days, during autumn festive season of Dussehra
Vijayadashami
Vijayadashami also known as Dasara, is one of the most important festivals celebrated in various forms, across India, Nepal and Bangladesh...
at Ramnagar, Varanasi
Ramnagar, Varanasi
Ramnagar is a city and a municipal board in Varanasi district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ramnagar has a fort known as Ramnagar Fort which is still the residence of King of Varanasi . He was known as Kashi Naresh meaning king of Kashi and is still regarded by old residents of the city of...
in India, and is staged in permanent structures created as sets throughout the three square mile area, where the audience follow the actors. Ramlila has been declared by the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
The Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity was made by the Director-General of UNESCO starting in 2001 to raise awareness on intangible cultural heritage and encourage local communities to protect them and the local people who sustain these forms of cultural...
in 2005.
N.B. These are examples of productions which have been labeled site-specific simply because they took place outside a traditional theatre space. A strong argument can be made here that more information is needed to know whether or not these productions are specific to the site or if they are "site-generic" meaning they could be staged in any physically similar venue.The promendae theater has the audience involved
A secondary definition of environmental theater is used to describe any production that attempts to immerse the audience in the performance by bringing the action off the stage area. For example, some acting may happen in aisles. In the case of a black box theater
Black box theater
The black box theater is a relatively recent innovation, consisting of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor.-History:...
acting platforms may even be built between audience section. Sometimes a performer will talk to, or otherwise involve an audience member in a scene. This can be a real audience member, as in interactive theater
Interactive theater
Interactive theatre is a presentational form that breaks the "fourth wall" separating performer and audience both physically and verbally.In traditional theatre, performance is limited to a designated stage area and the action of the play unfolds without any interplay with audience members, who...
, or an actor planted to appear as an audience member.
There are a couple variations on site-specific work worth noting. They include:
- Environmental Theatre, in which a pre-existing production is placed in an environment similar to the one in which the play is set. i.e. performing Hamlet in a Danish Castle.
- Promenade theater, in which there is little or no seating for audience members, who watch the action happening among them and may follow the performers around the space. An example of promenade theater are the performances put on by PunchdrunkPunchdrunkPunchdrunk is a British theatre company, formed in 2000, the pioneer of a form of "immersive" presentation in which the audience is free to choose what to watch and where to go. This format is related to "promenade theatre"....
, a UK based theater company.
Different Levels of Site Specificity
- Studio/Stage based Production - not site specific at all
- Studio as site - e.g. using the theatre space in an unusual way, for example, performing in the aisles - not site-specific either.
- Site as contextual container - e.g. Midsummer produced in a forest.
- Site Generic - using a particular kind of site, e.g. performance for football pitch, or Steven Koplowitz's "Grand Staircase" performance
- Site Responsive - using the site as resource for the performance material. e.g. #3 HOLD by Scrap and Salvage of San Francisco. created and performed in the bottom deck of a cargo ship - the USS golden bear.
Different Ways of Using the Site
- Site as Thematic or Narrative Resource
- Site as Architectural Space
Companies performing site-specific work
Spain
- Reial Companyia de Teatre de Catalunya (Barcelona, Catalonia)
UK
- Forster & Heighes (England, UK)
- Frantic Assembly) (England, UK)
- Grid Iron (Scotland, UK)
- in situ: (England, UK)
- The Invisible Circus (Bristol, UK)
- The Sans Walk Project (London, UK)
- Scarabeus Theatre (England, UK)
- seven sisters group (England, UK)
- Slung Low (Leeds, UK)
- Wilson+Wilson (UK)
USA
- Lucia Neare's Theatrical Wonders (Seattle, USA)
- Nu Dance Theater (New York, USA)
- Peculiar Works Project (New York, NY, USA)
- Quixotic Fusion (Kansas City, MO)
- Scrap and Salvage (San Francisco, USA)
- Skewed VisionsSkewed VisionsSkewed Visions is an arts company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota which produces site-specific performances and other multimedia works. Formed in 1996 by the artists Charles Campbell, Gülgün Kayim and Sean Kelley-Pegg, the group produces site-specific works that have sometimes been seen as...
(Minnesota, USA) - St. David High School (Arizona, USA)
- Supernatural ChicagoSupernatural ChicagoSupernatural Chicago, currently in its seventh year of performances, has become a mainstay of the Chicago theater scene. The show opened on the appropriately superstition-tinged date of Friday the 13th in February 2004, and continues in an open-ended run....
(Chicago, USA) - Theater Anew - Established plays in unique performance venues (San Francisco, CA)
- Third Rail Projects (USA)
- Walkabout Theater (Chicago, USA)