Theory of Play
Welcome to our place to explore and answer questions about what we do, and precisely how/why we do it that way. Our theory of play represents a growing web of knowledge, and an effort to document those things that resonate with our work and play. It also provides us the opportunity to share our goals and processes in a forum other than the stage.
The Bedlam Faction began with play. We took up theater because the way it organizes play through community, words, images, and music best suited our desires.
We don't think that play and theater are exclusive of each other or even necessarily separable, but there are some important points of difference. Theater usually involves a dedicated space, an audience, and a workably fixed distinction between where stage, performer, and play stop, and spectator begins. Play is something that happens regardless of whether there is an audience or a stage and something that is often indifferent to the distinction between stage-space and the off-stage world in which stages are contained.
We recognize the primacy of the impulse to play. We recognize that to create space for play, work is necessary. We recognize that organization, coordination, and connection facilitate play. We maintain that play is inclusive and non-hierarchical, and we engage in play as a community.
Play takes rules as points of departure. Play can make conventional limitations of space and time unnecessary.