Old Trouts invite the world to contribute to their next play
So what’s happening in The Old Trout Puppet Workshop? What is this Ignorance project? Short answer go to the blog: theoldtrouts.ca/ignorance .
This isn’t just an informational website but an experimental process of creation. The show is about cavemen (and other things). “It’s a documentary about the evolution of happiness going back to the origin of humanity and the invention of misery” says Old Trout Judd Palmer.
Once hooked by the topic the Old Trouts opened the creative process to anyone who could find their way to the puppet company’s corner of the web. People can upload their own thoughts drawings or videos on the topic lambaste what’s already posted or simply lurk to their heart’s content.
“We think that ideas come from unexpected places they come from unexpected connections they float around the ether and when all is said and done you can’t necessarily say ‘Oh that was my idea that was this guy’s idea’” says Palmer. That said this is no democracy. The Old Trout junta are still making all of the final decisions.
The blog has been up and running since last fall and the Trouts have gleaned plenty of useful material. “I’m quite sure that it has changed the direction of the show” says Palmer. “There have been ideas that people have put on the website that have been fundamental to the way the show has turned out.”
Pityu Kenderes another member of the Trout’s ruling council says “no detail is too small to comment on. Sometimes the best little added thing to a scene is something someone just throws out there as an idea.”
While public performances won’t start until early 2012 an invitation-only performance is slated for December and the production is finally coalescing after well over a year of input from the outside world. But there’s still time to get your two cents in. “Up till now it’s all been theoretical and conversational” says another Old Trout Pete Balkwill “But now photographs of actual puppets are going to be thrown up there.”
The huddle of dedicated contributors he says “will have highly unique involved experiences when they see this thing.” On the other hand lurkers or Old Trout neophytes can explore an extensive wonderland of the production’s creative process. “If you’re planning to see the show take half an hour and poke your head into the blog and take a look at some of the craziness in there” says Balkwill. “It’ll just enrich the theatrical experience of seeing it.”
Although it’s not strictly a democracy this is more of a benevolent dictatorship one which values citizen input. “A theatre company is part of a community” says Palmer. “It’s people interacting more than it is us presenting an entertainment option to you.”
