about

not / but

Not / But', or the "not…but" element, is used as an acting technique that part of the approach to performance pioneered by the groundbreaking German dramatist, director, and activist - Bertolt Brecht.

In its simplest form, the not/but element involves the actor preceding each thought that is expressed by their character or each action with its opposite.

"I am not going to do this, but that instead."


not / but

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​Rather than portraying a thought or action as "naturally" arising from the given circumstances of the scene or "inevitably" following from them, this technique underlines the aspect of decision in the thought or action.

Just as the "yes, and" rule in improvisation asks us to live in the moment - "not / but" reminds us that we have the power to practice intentionality.

We could be anywhere right now - you could be anywhere - but we're here right now. Together.

Whether as Artists or Spectators, not/but reminds us that even when life feels outside of our control, we have choices.

​We can practice intentionality every day.

Onstage and offstage. ​In our work, and in our lives.

All things are not inevitable. 

We can make it, how it want it to be. 

Not this, But that.