Role-Playing Games and Theater

[Tav_Behemoth]

I'm organizing a discussion on how playing a role on stage relates to gaming in NYC on Wed., Dec 14th at 8:30 pm. It'll be at the Flea Theater immediately following the 7 pm performance of the play SHE KILLS MONSTERS, which has Dungeons & Dragons as one of its central themes.

I put this together because I don't know anything about the topic but know people who do and am eager to make them tell me about it! As moderator, it would help me to figure out good questions to ask the panelists if I can get some preliminary explorations of the territory.

I'd love to hear from people with theatrical experience - in school, as an amateur or a pro, whatever - about how they feel gaming and theater relate; and from anyone about whether you think RPGs can usefully be talked about as a kind of performance art.

 

[TarionzCousin]

I suggest you look into improvisational performance, too--specifically the long-form, e.g. the Brody. Short form as is seen on Drew Carey's Improv show and Whose Line Is It Anyway aren't that relevant.

And, IMHO, long-form isn't as relevant as I had expected. I took a class in long-form improv after having seen a dozen performances. The co-creative, "always say 'Yes, and'" structure is unlike most RPG's wherein one person (the DM) has creative control over the universe.

In short, I'm saying be prepared to discuss improv, too. I would expect someone to mention it.

 

[arscott]

On the contrary, I'd say "yes, and" is amazingly important for RPGs. DMs without enough "yes" or without enough "and" run some pretty boring games.

I've long maintained that the best thing someone can do to be a better GM is to take an improv class. Not only is the "yes, and" lesson an important one, but things like "the mundane is magical" (that is, build entertaining situations out of normal elements. A blacksmith named Jacob has more story potential than a half-gnome steampunk illusionist named Blefargle.)