RE:direction

Well, term two has started, in real earnest and judging by my already diminished sleep and overactive mind when it comes to new projects, ideas, ambitions and interactions it really is set to be a fascinating few weeks. A somewhat busy week, yesterday was a useful introduction to our research module as well as the opportunity to catch up on everyone's experiences over Christmas. The group is still intact, we have lost a course mate yet there was a shared enthusiasm for discovering new work and strengthening stronger collaborative partnerships.

We are also taking part in a research intensive conference of sorts, which lasts until tomorrow and although somewhat heavy handed in its desire to teach us good research practices is the sort of event that does settle somewhere into the back of one's imagination. A stimulating lecture from Matt Adams of Blast Theory, which although a company that I have problems with when considering, 'What is theatre?', did begin a new process of inquiry into where to generate income and how much research should play a part in practice. This was then partnered with a meeting this afternoon with the NT Studio, an informal discussion with the head of the studio focussed around the directions of work, the 'how to' work and workshop at the NT Studio itself and also the opportunity to re focus attention on directing work that is "good" and vital in a diverse landscape of performance.

I have also now, very almost finished my visual essay and as such have been reading a lot of the essays contained within the Routledge/TDR Series published 'Re:Direction (A Theoretical and Practical Guide). The book is a great resource for the contemporary director artist trying to reconcile practice with a broader concern for the postmodern context of performance making - largely focussing for now on the collaborative ensemble work of Lecompte et.al but also taking the time to read as much as possible around the problems and working methods of directors and the companies with which they are attached.

This reading has then also pushed my thinking towards the necessity to build strong working relationships from within the MA group and this means a desire to seek out the working partners with whom I have a shared experience and commitment to performance. Nick lead an open space yesterday where I discussed with numerous others: How to Collaborate (A) and Devising Theatre Methodologies (B). My notes are here:

All in all it has been a varied two days with lots of useful discussion and development of my conclusions from the visual reflective essay. I am now emerging with a desire to understand the director-artist, to develop personal practice and test collaborative working methodologies. All of this is suited incredibly well to the work this term which is made up of a research unit, and company based practices unit, (along with continuation of Cultural Landscapes). As each of these works develops I will endeavour to keep updates posted here.