Working with freshman undergraduate students gives me a unique opportunity to introduce key elements of theatre early. They are fresh out of high school, have barely any knowledge or background in theatre beyond a high school musical production or community theatre production, and they meet me their very first semester. In my voice and movement class, I spend almost half the class solely on introducing them to working with the Viewpoints. The Viewpoints are a training technique from choreographer Mary Overlie for training performers, building ensemble, and creating movement for the stage. This technique is invaluably put into words by Anne Bogart and Tina Landau in their book aptly titled The Viewpoints Book.

Over the course of our six weeks on the Viewpoints, I repeat one point over and over – the building of ensemble and collaboration. To be clear, I repeat this all semester. Often, these students’ experience with theater is that there are always “favorites” or “leads” and what the director says is final. My goal through this work is to show them how collaborative theatre can be when they allow themselves to all work together and use awareness outside of themselves. Many of them look at me like a deer in the headlights, unsure how to process what I’m saying. Some don’t seem to believe me, thinking I’m just saying this because I’m the professor. But as theatre majors, they are about to spend four years together and building trust within the ensemble is crucial. Part of that is trusting the process.

The first day I introduced the Viewpoints (starting with Tempo and Duration), I got some strange looks. They were in their heads, thinking they looked weird OR feeling like they needed to be interesting because, you know, it’s theatre! This happened every time I introduced a new Viewpoint. Some started gravitating to them and leaning into the work. Some were still incredibly uncomfortable because of that feeling of looking weird. I reminded them that building ensemble requires them to be aware of the group, not themselves; that building work comes from a place of discomfort and bravery. When they trust the process, it’s revealed in their work.

I cannot stress enough how important it is, particularly for this generation, to understand theatre as collaboration. They need to know that they can trust the process and build trust and support with their cohort. Using phrases like “keep your awareness outside of yourself,” “use your viewpoints vocabulary to help get out of your head, and “go before you’re ready” constantly helps remind them of where the choices are coming from and their awareness of the group and the space.

They just completed their first composition. While some are still in their heads or not trusting the process, I must say overall, they did fabulous work. The moments where they were all on the same page, the work was stunning. I specifically commented on these moments after the composition and many of them said they became more aware when they were really working together.

It’s just the beginning for them. But it is so important to remind these young artists just starting to explore this art form of how vital it is that they work together. This is not a solo art. Theater is collaborative.

Note: Thoughts from a professor; they are my own opinions and, as with art, you don’t have to like or agree with them.

By Katelyn Spurgin

October 8, 2023