Dreamwork in Making Theater
conversations with imagination and nature
Sometimes the idea is right in front of us.
We look for it on abandoned train rails,
but it’s right in front of our nose.
We look for it outside of our bed,
but it’s right under our pillow.
You might think:
“What a pisces moon thing to say.”
To which I say:
“We all can be dreamy and draw seeds from our imagination.”
I don’t care about what planet made out with which horoscope at what angle.
Let’s go back to the pillow talk.
Do you remember your last dream?
Can you see your subconscious desires?
Fears?
Dreams within dreams?
How the Spirit gives you insights when you’re in a deep state of relaxation?
Maybe there was an object,
a plant,
an imaginary person you’ve shared love with,
a place…
There is a journey that follows the patterns of your subconscious let’s say.
Your not so obvious desires as well as fears.
All of which helps us to listen to the voice of Love.
What would Love have me do?
Where would Love have me go?
If you write, draw, and/or record your dreams,
you will see a story arch.
You can give each dream a title.
Over time,
you can see repeating themes,
objects,
animals,
and
personas.
In my last week’s dream I connected with the Daffodil.
It was lavender color with a different form and size.
The scent was the focal point of the dream.
Every time I smelled it,
I was filled with deep love and inspiration.
I decide to create a performance inspired by how the Daffodil makes me feel.
I let the scent of the plant guide the creation of the character.
Sensual.
Ecstatic.
Graceful.
I wake up.
I feel a new yet familiar connection with Daffodil.
Time passes by.
A friend gives me an idea to make a “Comic God” for an upcoming performance.
To help me anchor the plot,
the idea.
As an antidote to my pattern of deviation.
Meanwhile my friend is reminding me of an idea that I already deviated from.
“Masked trapeze performance! wow!”
I remember.
I take a breath.
The idea that once found me under my pillow,
Now revisits me on a porch,
sitting next to a black cat friend:
“A Daffodil mask!”
Rather than chasing the “what”,
the dreams can help us receive it.
So here’s a 4-step theater home play for your dreamwork:
record your dream in the form of writing and/or drawing,
discover the theme that feels alive for you and give it a title,
explore the theme through a 10-minute movement (option to blindfold if you feel safe),
play with your discoveries through 5-minute autopilot writing.