Prompt 7: Space

Using the components of site specific theatre, I would stage Sarah Ruhl's Dead Man's Cell Phone in an actual cafe/diner.  This is where she finds the dead man in the play.  The beginning I would have staged in a diner like booth; then when she goes home to his family and has dinner, this would be staged on a round table with chairs and closer to the kitchen doors for the purpose of entrances and exits.  It would also be made to look more home-like in this area.  Finally, all of the spiritual afterlife scenes could take place in a kitchen with a serving bar.  I do believe that it would this could enhance the performance.  It would make it more real for the audience and the performers, however I do see hindrances.  Any type of stage lighting would be difficult to rig up, so we would most likely have to deal with the fluorescent lighting already installed.  Also, it would not leave room for a large audience. The audience would need to small because they would be sitting at the rest of the diner's seats and tables.  The action would be happening around them, and yes, they would have to turn and readjust themselves throughout the show (which some might find annoying).  They would be able to stay sitting in there seats however and not have to get up and move around.  Even with these minor setbacks, I still feel that the space would enhance the overall performance. Also, I do not agree with Kantor's view.  This may hold true to old plays that date centuries back and have been done over and over throughout the years, but I believe that current works of theatre do this.  There is also the suspension of disbelief while at a play, so if the audience doesn't see anything coming and then something happens out of nowhere, they will indeed unquestionably believe it.