Devised Initiative

Rules

The Devised Initiative accepts group or solo projects, and for time reasons we can only accept the first five applications. Applications will open 12/1/2025 and remain open until 2/16/2026.

The 2026 Prompt:

This year, in addition to responding to the image and music prompts below, we would like to add some compositional parameters that we would like each piece to include. The four compositional parameters are:

• Have at least four minutes of no dialog. There does not need to be any dialog in your piece at all, but if you do have dialog be sure to have at least four minutes (all at once or spread throughout the piece) where there is no dialog.

• Have a moment or moments where some part of what has happened repeats in reverse.

• The ensemble (or solo artist) must find at least one moment of unified breath (or solo breath) that initiates a change in tone, pace, or structure.

• A key set piece or structure must be assembled live during the performance.

Please use one or more of the following images as a starting point for you work (you can draw inspiration from the colors, shapes, compositions, implied narratives/themes, etc):

• The Process:

  • In response to the prompt, the ensemble will select sources of inspiration as their creative container (examples: a photograph, a poem, a fictional or non-fictional short story, a memory, interviews, a question, etc.). Ensemble will be asked to clearly articulate how their sources informed process and product, form and content.

  • Each ensemble will create a unique performance vocabulary informed by their source materials. This vocabulary should include movement, voice, visual image, sonic landscape, text and scenic environment and communicate the piece’s style and aesthetic.

    Logistics/parameters:

    • o Pieces will be performed live

      o Time Limit: 15 minutes

    • This time frame must include set-up, performance and strike. Set up

      and strike can be incorporated into the performance.

      o Expect a 16x16 performance space

      o Contributions of the ensemble are to be balanced and evenly

      distributed

      o Not every member of the ensemble must perform, but all must

      be involved in some significant way (design, choreography,

      etc….)

      o Faculty advisors may provide outside-eye feedback, but

      students should drive the work

      o No live flame

      o No smoking

      o No functional weapons

    Please Note:

    o Each showing will be given a short response from regional devising guest artists. Each deviser will be expected to speak articulately about their work, displaying rigor of process and responsibility for form and content.

    o Devising isn’t an aesthetic; it’s a process. This approach to creating new work includes multiple aesthetics, production value spectrums, and performance styles.

    o Regions will only provide the performance space; ensembles must provide everything else.