More About The Hamilton Method

History

The Hamilton Method was first developed by Dr. Jim Hamilton in the Manhattan Experimental Theater Workshop for High School Students (MXTW). The method has been further refined by Gwethalyn Williams over her tenure as director of MXTW.

First begun in 1989, MXTW is now a program of the Manhattan Arts Center (MAC) in Manhattan, Kansas. What turned out to be the “first Workshop” was to be a one-time event. But it seemed to fill a need and, so, it has continued for over 30 years. MXTW has served hundreds of students and produced public performances of hundreds of original scripts.

Approach

MXTW was, and continues to be, a startling success. Because of the set progression of training and decision making the Hamilton Method employs, participants develop a high level of confidence. This leads to performances that often astonish even those who know the performers best – their friends and parents. 

The Hamilton Method educates students in ways experimental theater artists have challenged traditional narrative theater. Our performances educate our audiences to that end as well.

One aspect of most experimental theater is that it avoids or undermines traditional story structure. To that end, we resist making pieces that depend on psychological realism.  The Hamilton Method is aimed at enabling non-narrative theater, especially non-naturalistic theater.

We believe experimental techniques have the ability to connect with people just as powerfully as traditional narratives. But opportunities to experience these techniques do not exist everywhere or may be limited. The Method provides a way for artists and audiences to experience the viability of experimental techniques. The Hamilton Method is a self-contained process, it includes all the training participants need to be successful. Participants with any kind of background and with different sets of interests can succeed.

The Method is comprised of two phases: the exploration phase and the creation phase. In the exploration phase participants read and discuss examples of experimental theater and do exercises to train for creating and performing. In the creation phase participants use some of the techniques they have studied to create their own new performance pieces. The final step in the creation process is to share the new works with an audience.

Each new piece is based on or inspired by a story the audience is already familiar with. We call this the target story. This gives the audience a connection to the subject matter so they can see the different techniques at work.

Guiding Principles

There are three guiding principles we use when working in the Hamilton Method:

  • Respect. We build an atmosphere of respect for the work, for those participating in it, and for the environment in which the work is being done. At no time should anyone feel they are being asked to do something they had no say in.
  • Creative Input. Participants are given the chance for input in all the major creative decisions made during the work.
  • Creative Constraints. Once decisions about the “target story” and  “technique choice” are made participants must work within these constraints.

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