In the Studio 6 Combining different performance elements (design, puppetry, music, improvisation)

Designers are involved in the process of making a show from the very beginning. Staging choices and design ideas are completely integrated - rather than an add-on. If you’re working in the style of Kneehigh, a designer is a key decision-maker from the start!

When you’re working with a script that already exists (rather than devising your own), think about how you can introduce playfulness into your rehearsal and your creative decisions.

• Playing with costume: Dress each other up. Don’t discuss it or overthink it!
• Building a playground: Take the idea that Bill Mitchell would ‘create a playground’ and  create a set for your piece that allows you and your characters to play
• Creating a sense of place: Think about music and lighting, as well as set. Refer back to the  ideas about archetype that are explored elsewhere in this pack.
• Multi-rolling: Play as many characters as you can, and see what connections  there are between them! You might not play all of those characters in your actual performance, but see what happens when you try to portray opposing/similar characters!
• Use of puppetry: Animate anything - it doesn’t need to be your traditional idea of a  puppet! Find the naughtiness, the archetype or the function of a puppet in how they can swell your cast or represent an idea or theme.
• Live musicians: Each of you can bring a song that makes you want to dance, or  makes you cry, or laugh. Identify a song that might be your character’s favourite, or one that sets the mood or period of your play. Sing live, play instruments or, even better, invent them!You might also consider creating a playlist for the script: or simply play some music in the background and see what happens!