The Invocation
1980s-present ยท 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.
Connected to
People
Schools & Theaters
io