Just like the Moon: Devised Theatre in a Time of Mass Grief

Abstract

An original devised production created by Lizz Windnagel and the ensemble, Just like the Moon, was produced by the University of Calgary Drama Division in the School of Creative and Performing Arts. The production did not have a full run because of COVID-19 government restrictions but did perform on November 27th for a small audience of MFA committee members, supervisors, and those involved in the production. This statement accompanies the production in an effort to give insight into the context, creative process, and directorial understandings I gleaned from creating and directing this project. Chapter one introduces the source material used to shape this play and outlines my intentions in creating the piece. Chapter two encompasses my directorial values which have been shaped by my past creation and performance experience, but highly focused by directing this production. Chapter three outlines the historical research I conducted which interrogated the connection between Commedia dell’arte and Pierrot as well as my personal connection to this character and how this research informed our creation process. Chapter four discusses the dramatic style and structure of the piece as well as the journey it took to get there. Chapter five examines the two main characters and some rehearsal methods that helped us discover the story of said characters. I will go into the most detail about our design and rehearsal process in Chapter six, where I speak to translating the research to the stage. This artist statement concludes with a chapter that supports my assertion toward supporting the wellbeing of artists within a theatrical production in order to create essential communities.