Even in devised theatre, where fluidity and experimentation are key, some form of dramatic structure is essential. Structure provides a framework that helps organise ideas, build coherence, manage pacing, and guide the audience through a meaningful experience. Without structure, a piece can feel disjointed or aimless. Understanding traditional structures doesn’t mean you must follow them rigidly, but it gives you a conscious choice to adapt, subvert, or blend them to suit your artistic vision.

The most fundamental structural model is the linear plot structure, which breaks a narrative into clear phases:

1. The Beginning (Exposition and Inciting Incident):
2. Exposition: This is where the foundation of the play is laid. The audience is introduced to the "world" of the performance. Key information is subtly revealed:
   • Setting: Where and when the story takes place (physical and temporal space).
   • Characters: Who are the main individuals or archetypes? What are their initial roles and relationships?
   • Mood/Atmosphere: What is the prevailing feeling at the start of the piece?
   • Status Quo: What is the "normal" life or situation before anything significant happens?
3. Inciting Incident: This is the pivotal moment that disrupts the established status quo and ignites the central conflict or problem. It’s the event that propels the characters into action and sets the main story in motion. It asks the audience: "What’s going to happen now?"
   • Example: A stranger arrives, a secret is revealed, a vital object goes missing, a decision must be made.
4. The Middle (Rising Action and Climax):
5. Rising Action: This is the longest and most dynamic part of the play. It’s a series of escalating events, complications, challenges, and discoveries that build tension and drive the narrative towards its peak. As characters try to achieve their objectives or resolve the central conflict, they encounter obstacles, new information, or developing relationships that complicate their journey.
   • Each event in the rising action should increase the stakes, deepen the conflict, or reveal more about the characters.
6. Climax: This is the dramatic peak of the play, the moment of highest tension, confrontation, or emotional intensity. It’s the turning point where the central conflict is faced directly, and the outcome hangs in the balance. The climax represents a crucial decision, a major revelation, or an ultimate struggle from which there is no return.
   • Example: A decisive battle, a painful confession, a crucial choice, a moment of profound realisation.
7. The End (Falling Action and Resolution):
8. Falling Action: These are the events that occur immediately after the climax. The tension begins to subside, and the consequences of the climax start to unfold. Characters deal with the aftermath of the peak moment, and loose ends might begin to be tied up.
   • This phase helps the audience process what has just happened and prepares them for the conclusion.
9. Resolution (Dénouement): This is the conclusion of the play, where the central conflict is resolved (or left intentionally unresolved, leading to an ambiguous ending). Characters find a new state of being, a new "normal" is established, or the story comes to a definitive close. It provides a sense of completion for the audience, even if the ending is tragic, bittersweet, or thought-provoking.

While devised theatre can certainly play with non-linear structures (e.g., jumping between timelines, using fragmented scenes), consciously understanding this traditional arc allows you to make deliberate choices about how to build and release tension, create a satisfying flow, and ensure your audience is engaged from start to finish.

Devised theatre often excels at communicating meaning through visual, aural, and physical means, making symbolism and metaphor incredibly powerful tools. They allow creators to convey complex ideas and emotions without needing lengthy dialogue, inviting the audience to interpret and engage on a deeper level.

• Symbolism:
• Definition: A symbol is anything that represents or stands for something else, often an abstract idea. It could be an object, a gesture, a colour, a sound, a piece of clothing, or even a particular light cue. The meaning is not literal but associated.
• How it works: A symbol gains its power through repetition, context, or its inherent qualities. For example, a single red apple might symbolise temptation, knowledge, or health, depending on how it's used within the devised piece. A recurring ticking sound might symbolise the relentless passage of time or impending doom.
• In Devising: Symbols can emerge organically during improvisation. A prop might unexpectedly take on a new significance, or a movement might become a recurring motif that represents a character's internal struggle. The group then consciously develops and refines these symbols to enhance the piece's meaning.
• Metaphor:
• Definition: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things, stating that one is the other, to create a deeper, non-literal meaning. In theatre, this isn’t just about words; it can be expressed through actions, visual representations, or situations.
• How it works: Instead of saying something is "like" something else (which would be a simile), a metaphor states it directly, forcing a more profound connection. For example:
  • Physical Metaphor: A character physically struggling to lift an invisible, heavy weight might be a metaphor for carrying the burden of grief or guilt.
  • Situational Metaphor: A scene where characters are endlessly building and then tearing down walls could be a metaphor for the futility of conflict or societal divisions.
  • Abstract Metaphor: The entire devised piece itself could be a metaphor for a larger societal problem, explored through a specific, fictionalized scenario.
• In Devising: Groups often devise pieces that function as extended metaphors for larger themes. For instance, a piece about a broken machine could be a metaphor for a broken family or a dysfunctional society.

Both symbolism and metaphor encourage active audience participation. They create layers of meaning, allowing different viewers to take away different interpretations, making the devised piece richer and more memorable.

Once you have generated ideas and begun to consider structure, the devising process moves into the crucial rehearsal phase. This is where the raw material is shaped, refined, and brought to life through practical theatrical techniques.

• Blocking:
• Definition: Blocking refers to the precise staging of actors' movements and positions on the stage. It includes entrances, exits, crosses, sitting, standing, and interactions with props or other actors.
• In Devising: While some blocking might emerge spontaneously during improvisation, it's essential to refine it. Effective blocking ensures:
  • Clarity: The audience can clearly see and understand the action.
  • Focus: It directs the audience's attention to the most important character or action at any given moment.
  • Meaning: It can communicate relationships, power dynamics, emotional states, and subtext (what's unsaid). For example, a character physically backing away from another shows fear or resistance.
  • Visual Composition: Creates aesthetically pleasing and dynamic stage pictures.
• Refining Movement:
• Definition: Beyond just where an actor moves, refining movement focuses on how they move. This includes gestures, facial expressions, posture, gait, and the quality of their physical actions.
• In Devising: Actors experiment with different physicalities to convey character, emotion, and narrative. This might involve:
  • Exaggeration or Minimalism: Deciding whether a movement should be large and bold, or subtle and internal.
  • Tempo and Rhythm: The speed and flow of movement can create mood or signify character traits.
  • Weight and Effort: Making a movement feel heavy or light, strong or delicate.
  • Physicality of Emotion: Exploring how emotions are physically expressed (e.g., tension in the shoulders for anxiety, open arms for joy).
• Building Tension:
• Definition: Tension is the feeling of suspense, anticipation, or conflict that keeps an audience engaged. It's the "what happens next?" factor.
• In Devising: Consciously build tension using:
  • Pacing: Varying the speed of action or dialogue. Slowing down can build anticipation; speeding up can create urgency or panic.
  • Pauses: Deliberate moments of silence or stillness can heighten emotional impact, create suspense, or allow a significant line to resonate.
  • Vocal Dynamics: Changes in pitch, volume, and tone of voice can convey rising emotion or conflict.
  • Physical Proximity/Distance: Moving characters closer together for intimacy or confrontation, or further apart to show isolation or conflict.
  • Conflict Escalation: Gradually increasing the stakes or intensity of the disagreements or obstacles faced by characters.
• Improvisation:
• Definition: Spontaneous, unscripted performance. Even after ideas are established, improvisation remains a vital rehearsal tool.
• In Devising:
  • Character Development: Improvising scenes between characters to deepen understanding of their personalities, backgrounds, and motivations.
  • Relationship Exploration: Spontaneously interacting to discover the nuances and power dynamics within relationships.
  • Problem-Solving: If a scene feels stuck, improvise different ways to move through it.
  • Generating New Material: Sometimes the most unexpected and powerful moments emerge from unscripted play. These moments can then be refined and incorporated.
• Feedback and Iteration:
• Definition: The cyclical process of performing, receiving constructive critique, and then revising and re-rehearsing.
• In Devising: It's crucial for the group to regularly share their work-in-progress (even small snippets) and receive feedback from their peers, the instructor, or even an outside observer. This feedback helps:
  • Identify Strengths: What’s working well?
  • Highlight Areas for Improvement: What’s unclear? Where does the tension drop?
  • Clarify Intentions: Does the audience understand what you’re trying to convey?
  • This continuous cycle of creating, sharing, evaluating, and refining is at the heart of devised theatre.