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23rd April 2026
By Liz Felton (Creating Devised Theatre Course Leader)
When teaching Devised Theatre at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, I always like to ask my students what their relationship is to devising. A lot of the time, I receive answers of either being unclear about what it is or ‘having had a bad experience’. So firstly, I want to clarify what devising means to me and why I love the process. It is simply making work without a script, working as an ensemble to play around with ideas. Create characters, scenes and movement in response to themes, stimuli, true stories or historical events. Making a performance where the story is driven by the very space it will be performed in. It is stepping into a room and not knowing what will be created that day that makes my eyes sparkle. And for me as the director of that piece, it is then the challenge of weaving all these ideas into a coherent production that brings me great joy.
I think one of the problems with the experience of devising that I hear about, is actors being left to create with no continued guidance, feeling a little lost in the development of their ideas without an outside eye. One of the things I love most is to be that guiding presence in a devising rehearsal room. To provoke and instigate with structured experiments. To then gather all our material and storyboard together. And finally, to set writing tasks and become more of a director than a facilitator in the last part of the project as we pull a production together.
“I hadn’t devised in this way before. Learning with Liz meant there was such a clear structure and tools to play with that I found myself bursting to fill in the gaps and create!”
Hollie Hurrell, MFA Class of ’25, currently adapting Pericles from Liz Felton’s project last year.
This is the process I wish to give you an experience of this summer if you join our week-long project starting on 10th August. Obviously, it will be a useful training ground for anyone itching to make their own work. It is so important that we up-skill actors to be able to make important new productions, addressing current issues and challenges; work that has great relevance to our audiences and may even help instigate change. Equally, not just waiting for your agent to ring you with opportunities is a far more rewarding place to sit. Being proactive in getting projects off the ground in between your other engagements.
This project is also for directors who may wish to learn from my way of working and writers who might be looking for new ways to find character and develop narrative. But this article would also like to focus on why all actors should be devising. Even those who have no intention of making devised theatre, those who love speaking other people’s words and are excited to be directed on a stage or in front of the camera. I am very passionate about the core skills that ‘devising’ gives to all actors. How it will make you a force to be reckoned with out there in the industry, an actor that directors will want back in their room again and again. At times I will make use of my ex-students’ words, who really are proof of this as they strive and succeed out there right now.
“The words I hear a lot in rehearsal rooms are “let’s try this”, “let’s see what happens”. The devising projects that Liz Felton facilitated at BOVTS were an essential part of our training, where we consistently experimented with new ideas and new ways to tell a story.”
Shane David-Joseph BA Class of ’19, currently performing with the RSC
I believe all actors need practise at taking risks so they feel comfortable with the fact that their choices might fail, and therefore become more confident at making offers in the room. You cannot wait for your director to tell you everything; the best actors will always be one step ahead, building and developing character and putting these ideas into the space.
“Devising taught me to be proactive in the room, to offer ideas with confidence, and to collaborate openly with others. It’s definitely shaped me into a more versatile and imaginative performer, not just someone who interprets text but helps bring it to life.”
Dumile Sibanda BA Class of ’21, currently starring in The Play That Goes Wrong
All directors are looking for actors who make great ensemble team members. Those who can lead and make offers but also know when to follow, when to listen sensitively and take ideas being offered to them from those they share the stage with. These give-and-take skills in a dynamic rehearsal room become heightened in the devising process. Sometimes in devising we work with truths, experiences and moments in our lives that we feel we can bring to the ensemble. Never raw memories that make us feel vulnerable, but stories we are happy to share. This process can lead to us becoming a more open and warm member of the cast.
And of course, becoming more comfortable with improvising and thinking on your feet will undoubtedly assist you in the audition process. Whether you find yourself in a workshop audition or simply taking redirection after delivering a piece.
“There have been countless times I have been in auditions, especially at the NT and the RSC where improvising and devising movement have been asked for and having had the opportunity to train in this at BOVTS, I feel confident in my own creativity. I never felt devising was something I would be skilled at, but Liz helped us all to find our footing and develop a process we can reach for again and again.”
Petra Joan-Athene BA class of ’22, currently touring the Olivier Award-winning Boy at the Back of the class.
Devising can sound scary but work with me and I will guide you through the process. As an instigator, I will structure the chaos, provoking with techniques and ideas; then allowing the space for you to play; and finally working with you to find narrative and meaning to your work.
We will explore little nuggets of story-making wisdom like creating a routine and then breaking it, using location to build a community of characters, allowing everyone in the room the opportunity to play a part, and how to weave interactions together into a coherent plot. We will of course, explore new narratives but also open ourselves to adaptation. Why am I telling this classic story again and why is my version relevant to a contemporary audience? This week-long devising project will give you the opportunity and tools to create characters and then write and perform monologues in this voice, perhaps even finding a new part of your performing self.
“…devising as a group with Liz was a truly major shift in my training at BOVTS in terms of my confidence and the possibilities of characters I have within me that I can explore. I can’t thank Liz enough.”
Lucy Jarvis-Chase, current MFA
At the end of the day directors are not only looking for talented actors in an audition, they are also searching for those individuals who will be an asset to their rehearsal room. Those who can find three-dimensional characters, those who can read a room and play off fellow actors. Those who know when to lead and hold the stage and when to allow space for others. Those who are not afraid to take risks and try something out, this is where the true magic can be found.
“Since graduating from BOVTS and entering the industry, it has become clear that what we learned through our devising experience forms the backbone of how rehearsals and productions are run. It is an experience that feels essential to any theatre-maker.”
Clara Wesley MFA Class of ’25 currently touring The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
And finally, if anything, do it for the rich rewarding experience itself. You won’t regret it.
“Working with Liz while training at BOVTS was and is one of my core memories…It really was one of the most freeing, collaborative and joyful experiences I have had in terms of devising as a team in the theatre. It felt seamless and as though we could create anything at all…I often think back to the work and how it made me feel…”
Sam Henderson BA Class of ’19 Currently working on a multimedia piece of mixed animation for his own music video
Creating Devised Theatre
Immerse yourself in an intensive 5-day Creating Devised Theatre course at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, designed to develop your collaborative creation skills and deepen your understanding of ensemble-led performance.
Monday 10th August- Friday 14th August 2026