Devising can often be a challenge, with a well of inspiration that constantly threatens to run dry.

When ideas are flowing, it can feel liberating and magical. If we’re honest, though, most of the time, the pressure to come up with something out of thin air can feel frustrating and disheartening.

The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way.

This workshop provides a structured approach to making devising as pleasurable and as pain-free as possible. Participants will build a toolkit of approaches to ensure their devising practice can become effortless, efficient, and above all, joyful.

Participants will explore a range of starting points to initiate each of the approaches, meaning they’ll have endless permutations of how to dive into their own work.

We’ll explore fail-proof ways of structuring the development and rehearsal of devised work to make sure it is always moving in a constructive direction.

We’ll then use all of the approaches and concepts we’ve explored to collaboratively devise a short piece of theatre together.

CONTENT & OUTCOMES

Workshops on Effortless Devising can take two forms:
a one-day introductory workshop, and a five-day deep-dive residency.

During the one-day introductory workshop, participants will:

  • Discover four key devising approaches and apply them through a series of practical group and individual exercises. Each exercise builds on what has come before, providing a structured approach to the learning.

  • Apply the key devising approaches to develop ‘sketches’ – starting points for devised work that can then be developed further into something more substantial.

  • Learn an effective, fail-proof approach to structuring the development and rehearsal of devised work.

During the five-day deep-dive residency, participants will also: 

  • Build on the four key devising approaches with an additional four approaches, exploring each through a series of practical group and individual exercises.

  • Explore using different starting points with each of the eight devising approaches. These starting points include text, movement, sound and image.

  • Learn how to develop ‘sketches’ into more detailed and complete work.

  • Collaboratively devise a short piece of theatre together using all of the approaches and concepts explored during the residency.

DETAILS & LOGISTICS

  • Who is the workshop for?
    — The workshop is for actors, performers, devisers, writers, ensembles, directors and drama facilitators.
    — It is suitable for both professional artists and artists-in-training.
    — Groups consisting of people in different roles (e.g.: some actors, some writers and some directors) can also be accommodated.
    — No previous improvisation or writing experience is required.

  • How many participants can take part?
    — To ensure everyone can have the fullest experience of the practical exercises, workshops are capped at a maximum of 12 participants.

  • How long is the workshop?
    — The one-day introductory workshop comprises two 3-hour sessions with a break in between.
    — The five-day deep-dive residency is made up of two 3-hour sessions with a break in between on each day.
    — At drama schools and universities, a showing of the work explored can be scheduled for the last session of a five-day residency.
    — Other schedules can be accommodated to suit a group’s particular circumstances.

  • Where can the workshop take place?
    — The workshop is practical and needs to take place in-person; it cannot be delivered online.
    — The booker is responsible for finding a suitable room or studio for the workshop to take place in.

  • What space or equipment is needed for the workshop?
    — A space that is large enough to comfortably accommodate full-group practical work and exercises.
    — A chair for each participant.
    — Participants should wear clothes they are comfortable moving in.
    — Participants should bring something to take notes with (as no handouts are provided.)

  • What is the cost of the workshop?
    — Workshop costs vary depending on length and location. Please enquire about the cost by filling in the form below or emailing directly.

  • Can the workshop accommodate participants with specific needs or who require specific adjustments?
    — Absolutely! It is very important that everyone can participate fully in a way that is comfortable and positive for them. Please provide as much detail as possible when booking and I’ll arrange a time for us to have a conversation in advance of the workshop date.

INTERESTED IN BOOKING A WORKSHOP OR LEARNING MORE?

Get in touch to secure your dates or to arrange an informal chat about your ideas and plans. You can contact me using the form below, or email me directly:

hello [at] garethjnicholls [dot] com.

Which workshop (s) are you wishing to enquire about?

AVAILABLE WORKSHOPS

EXPLORE MORE

The Box

A powerful devising, writing, improvisation and scene study tool rolled into one.

The Funhouse

Enter The Funhouse to devise work in front of an audience in real-time.

The Bold Ensemble

A workshop to help groups of actors and devisers nurture key collaborative skills in order to work together most effectively.

Effortless Devising

A stress-free approach to developing narrative-led work.

Improvisation Without Fear

A step-by-step approach to eliminate dread when improvising.

Audience Collaboration — For Actors & Devisers

An approach that invites audiences to be your most important collaborator.

Audience Collaboration — For Directors

An approach that invites audiences to be your most important collaborator.