The Invocation
1980s-present · Chicago
Also known as Del Close Invocation, It Is / You Are / Thou Art / I Am
A four-phase ritual opening for Harold — 'It Is / You Are / Thou Art / I Am' — that elevates a mundane suggestion to near-religious importance before any scenes play.
Known for
- Created by Del Close; one of the standard Harold openings taught at iO.
- Inspired by religious and pagan ritual and ceremony — Close was into ritual invocation as performance technique.
- Four phases: (1) 'It Is' — objective descriptions, (2) 'You Are' — personal address, (3) 'Thou Art' — elevated/spiritual address, (4) 'I Am' — performer becomes the object.
- Used to build symbolic weight and thematic stakes before scenes begin.
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