The Open Theater

The Open Theater was an experimental theatre group active from 1963 to 1973.

It was founded in New York City by a group of former students of acting teacher Nola Chilton, and joined shortly thereafter by director Joseph Chaikin, formerly of The Living Theatre, and Peter Feldman. The group's intent was to continue Chilton's exploration of a "post-method", post-absurd acting technique, by way of a collaborative and wide-ranging process that included exploration of political, artistic, and social issues, which were felt to be critical to the success of avant-garde theatre. The company, developing work through an improvisational process drawn from Chilton and Viola Spolin, created well-known exercises, such as "sound and movement" and "transformations", and originated radical forms and techniques that anticipated or were contemporaneous with Jerzy Grotowski's "poor theater" in Poland. Some of its best known works include "America Hurrah", "Viet-Rock" (1966), and "The Serpent" (1969), which is still performed today.^[1] Noted writers associated with the group include Jean-Claude Van Italie and Megan Terry.

Members of the theatre simulated an orgy in Death Valley in a scene in the 1970 movie Zabriskie Point.^[2] The U.S. Justice Department later investigated the film questioning whether the orgy violated the Mann Act. However the movie producers pointed out that no actual sex had taken place and that the actors had not crossed a state line since Zabriskie Point is in California.^[3]

After the company's dissolution, its members formed The Talking Band, and Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble and Spiderwoman Theater. Chaikin went on to an acclaimed directing career until his death in 2003.

References

1. ^ http://jobsitetheater.org/serpent.htm
2. ^ Zabriskie Point (1970) - New York Times - February 10, 1970
3. ^ http://www.moviecrazed.com/outpast/antonioni.html