Philosophy
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philosophy is based primarily on the original theatrical
practices of acting companies from Shakespeare’s own
period. The term "original practices" refers to a recent
movement in the production of Shakespeare's plays to
employ performance conditions similar to those under
which the actors of Shakespeare's time would have
performed. This movement has been pioneered by such
companies as the American Shakespeare Center. The
Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company explores such original
practices elements as
Since its founding, the Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company
has sought to explore such original practice elements as
1. Performance in non-traditional theatrical spaces. The
touring companies of Early Modern England performed not
only in purpose-built playhouses like the Globe and the
Blackfriars, but in such venues as innyards and noblemen's
houses. The Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company performs
primarily in non-traditional theatre spaces, including
churches, warehouse spaces, community centers,
classrooms, and outdoor settings. Finding creative ways to
use a variety of spaces -- including theatres of different
architectural types as well as non-theatre spaces -- keeps
the actors on their toes and results in an exciting and
spontaneous performance atmosphere.
2. Universal lighting. Shakespeare's audiences sat in the
same light as the actors, either in outdoor playhouses or in
candle-lit indoor playhouses. The members of the audience
were visible to the actors and to each other. Because of
this visible audience, many playwrights of that era wrote the
audience into their plays, giving the actors lines to speak
directly to the audience. The Pigeon Creek Shakespeare
Company performs in universal lighting and employs
audience contact in its performances, making audience
members feel as if they are a part of the play.
3. Minimal sets. Acting companies of 16th and 17th century
England did not employ the elaborate sets that 21st century
theatre audiences have come to expect. The texts of the
plays, the actors' actions, and the audience's imagination
helped to transform a nearly bare stage into all of the
locations necessary in a given play. The Pigeon Creek
Shakespeare Company follows this practice in order to
maintain an energetic performance pace, uninterrupted by
frequent set changes. Using minimal or no sets also means
that the company can travel easily and can perform in
venues of many different sizes without lengthy set-up time.
4. Cross-gendered casting. During Shakespeare’s time,
English law did not allow women to perform on stage, so the
female roles in Shakespeare’s plays were originally
performed by boys. While we do have female actors to play
women’s roles in our company, you may sometimes see
women playing men or men playing women in the Pigeon
Creek Shakespeare Company’s productions. Through this
kind of casting, the Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company
explores the ability of actors to create characters that are
wholly different than the actors themselves.
5. Doubling. Records from Shakespeare’s own period
suggest that the acting companies of the time were
relatively small, typically employing 10-15 actors. Since
many of the plays performed during the period have 30-40
characters, we know that each actor played multiple roles in
any given production. During a performance by the Pigeon
Creek Shakespeare Company, you may see the same actor
play as many as five roles. This practice demands great skill
from the actors, who must be able to distinguish their
characters very clearly for the audience.
6. Ensemble Direction. Shakespeare's acting company did
not have a "director" in the modern sense, who made
artistic decisions about a play's performance from outside
of the cast. While some of our productions do have
directors, we also have productions each season in which
the actors work without a director and negotiate artistic
decisions among the cast. These productions can be
among the most exciting and imaginative you will see!
7. Company Structure. In Shakespeare’s time, actors did
more than appear on stage. They took part in the business
aspects of their acting companies as well. The actors of the
Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company do not only act in
productions. They are also the primary administrators of the
company and producers of performances.
production of Much Ado About
Nothing rehearses at the Grand
Haven Area Arts Council.