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Devised and Ensemble

Devised and ensemble-based theatre breaks down barriers and hierarchies between directors, writers, and performers in order to create work as a group of artists. In this section, you’ll find content about pieces made this way, thoughts from the creators, and learning on how to do it. The 2014 Ensemble Series is a great entry point.

The Latest

Video
Theatre in Times of War and State Violence
2026 National Institute for Directing and Ensemble Creation
Thursday 4 June 2026
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Essay
Slow-Motion Gives Forced Migrants the Chance to Move at Their Own Speed
by Dmitrii Zenkov
15 April 2026
Video
A Conversation with Purva Bedi and Mariana Newhard
TORCHES: 30+ Years of Downtown Performance
Monday 20 April 2026
New York City
Essay
18 January 2013

Carol Bebelle, co-founder of Ashé Cultural Arts Center discusses community and vision New Orleans.

Torres-Tama, in costume, holding a mask and a wooden cylinder.
Essay

Invisible Latino Immigrants of the Reconstruction & St. Claude A Gentrification Tool)

18 January 2013

Aliens, Immigrants & Other Evildoers explores the persecution of immigrants, and segregation of art in New Orleans.

Poster reading "Endless Gaycation" featuring a figure wearing sunglasses and a one-piece swimsuit and leaning to one side.
Essay

Queer Performativity in New Orleans

18 January 2013

Ace Falcor examines the queerness of New Orleans, and what it means to be a queer performer in the city where anything goes.

A parade float that looks like a king moves through a massive crowd in the street.
Essay

Parading and Theater Making in New Orleans

17 January 2013

How does the culture of parading—both watching and participating in parades— affect, create, and sustain the New Orleans New Work ecosystem?

Logo for Southern Rep Theatre.
Essay
16 January 2013

After a year of turmoil for Southern Rep Theatre, holding onto their mission kept them at bay. It became a time to reflect on New Orlean’s great community.

Essay
16 January 2013

What makes New Orleans a unique and thriving frings theatre scene, despite the lack of financial and institutional resources to support them?

Essay

Stories of Race and Education in New Orleans

15 January 2013

In the wake of racial discrimination in New Orleans' education system, Lockdown was created to give a voice to the kids in the back of the class.

The Twitter logo.
Essay

New Orleans Theater

14 January 2013

Let's discuss theatre in the Big Easy! Join the Weekly Howl using #newplay

A row of colorful buildings in New Orleans named Rainbow Row.
Essay
14 January 2013

New Orleans is a perfect storm of topography, personality, and technology to allow theatremakers and artists to thrive.

A parade float that looks like a king moves through a massive crowd in the street.
Essay
14 January 2013

Nick Slie gives an overview of New Orlean's theatre climate.

A performer onstage.
Essay
22 November 2012

Tom Horan explains the purpose of a "script designer," and shares why playwrights possess more than one skill.

Video
Friday 26 October and Friday 27 October 2012
KY, TN; United States

The Network of Ensemble Theater presented MicroFest Kentucky/Tennessee livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Friday 26 October and Friday 27 October 2012.

Poster for Total Chaos.
Essay

The Parallels of Ensemble/Devised Theatre and Hip-Hop

20 October 2012

Clyde Valentin explores the similarities between hip-hop and devised theatre, and what large-scale theatre companies can learn from hip-hop's culture.

Two men on a stage look at two people sitting in chairs in front of them.
Essay
1 October 2012

Dudley Cocke, the director of Roadside Theater, on Rural Theater, its specific gifts, and the necessity of its inclusion in American Theater.

 

Microfest Detroit logo.
Video
Sunday 17 August to Tuesday 19 August 2012
Detroit, MI, United States

The Network of Ensemble Theaters presented events, performances, panels, and conversations from MicroFest USA: Detroit livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv from Sunday 17 August to Tuesday 19 August 2012.

A logo for Plowshares Theatre Company with a face above the name of the company.
Essay

Why?

17 August 2012

Despite the uphill battle, Gary Anderson continues his work at Plowshares Theatre Company.

Podcast

Richard Newman of The Hinterlands Ensemble, Detroit

16 August 2012

Listen to weekly podcasts hosted by David Dower as he interviews theater artists from around the country to highlight #newplay bright spots. This week: Richard Newman, co-director of The Hinterland Ensemble.

Graffiti on a wall.
Essay
15 August 2012

Clare Pfeiffer Ramsey describes how artists, foodies, and entrepreneurs have helped revitalize Detroit.

A Google Maps view of Detroit.
Essay

Alive and Well

14 August 2012

Bridgette Redman surveys the dependable Detroit theatrical institutions.

A black and white photo of a mariachi band.
Essay
13 August 2012

Lisa Luevanos discusses art and Latino culture in the Southwest Detroit community.

Four people in evening wear standing in an ornately decorated room.
Essay
14 July 2012

Jules Odendahl-James explores the intersection of theatre and politics. She questions about conventional sense of political theatre and the possible expansion of the definition.

Three actors read from scripts onstage.
Essay

Theater of Tiny Disjuncture

14 May 2012

Aaron Landsman on the purpose and process on the collaborative piece City Council Meeting.

Video
Friday, April 27 2012
Austin, TX, United States

The Fusebox Festival in Austin, Texas presents "Chewing the Fat: Delicious Conversations" livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Friday 27 April and Saturday, 28 April 2012.

A man looks outward with his arms raise as a choir sings behind him.
Essay
8 April 2012

Dog & pony emerged out of impluse resulting in shaking up DC's traditional theatre scene.

Three performers control a puppet of a man.
Essay
3 January 2012

Meiyin Wang contrasts Electricity, Originality, and Authenticity in the context of the 2012 Under the Radar Festival, and how selected productions challenge these concepts.

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