What is Site Specific?

As a more so new age term and more modern style of theatre, this art form does not only 'put something pretty on to watch' but thrives on audience members (more often than not) i.e. the general public to watch and participate at their own free will. "It's a show that isn't put on in a purpose built building".*

This tends to change slightly when it's a site specific piece is one where the people involved are paying audience and normally sign a disclaimer.

It's where an artist (actor, director, scriptwriter or even technical manager) discover a place of interest, accumulates research on the found area and makes a decision on what could be performed there which would be both engaging and sensical.

An example of this could be a funeral scene which would take place in a graveyard (completing my research, most if not all churches are less likely or unwilling to let such a performance take place on sacred ground) or even summertime picnic in a field or park.

With site specific theatre there needs to be a direct link between the storyline (or message) of the piece and the area chosen.

To gain a greater understanding of this concept we watched videos on the following website as a class and discussed the main themes that were spoken of during the interviews with the professionals: https://www.xlearn.com

Summarising the videos the key elements are:

- Be firm in your intentions of your piece

- The perimeters are fluid (as many areas are public)

- Chances of rehearsals are incredibly low

- If outdoors the chances of weather change can be inevitable

- Most site specific performers are volunteers and can be unreliable

- Permission may not be granted by the council/mayor for area use

- Most of the work is low budget

- Clarity and simplicity is key

The key is finding passionate ad reliable artists who are as captivated with your vision as you are; this is echoed through costume, set, props and lighting if required.

On the other hand, site adaptive is where a piece of theatre is created in a space which is not your typical theatre space. For instance, if a play is to take place in an empty swimming pool but has the storyline of a baking show, there's no direct correlation to the environment therefore the meaning behind the piece is seems irrelevant and lacks depth.

As tradition follows suit, the second years created a piece of theatre to present to the first years. Our given brief was that we were using the rat run and dressing rooms behind the stage; otherwise, we had free reign to do as we pleased. The decision was then made to create a site adaptive piece where we would make out audience feel as uncomfortable as possible whilst still engaging in an important message.  The scenes took place at the back end of the club, with the rat run being the outdoor smoking area and the rooms being where the scenes took place.

*( http://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2008/feb/06/sitespecifictheatrepleasebe )