Invocation
A ritual long-form opening where performers progressively elevate an ordinary object through four stages — from factual description to divine possession — building group energy and seeding characters and themes for what follows.
Players
4–8
Duration
5-10 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Full description
Setup and Launch
Five or six performers stand in a line or arc facing the audience. The stage should be clear so everyone can see each other. No props needed — the object is imaginary. Ask the audience to name an ordinary inanimate object, like a spoon or a shoe. Briefly explain that the group will move through four distinct stages, each time shifting their relationship to the object. Stress that exact wording matters far less than the gradual escalation of expression, energy, and commitment.
Flow
1. Setup
Performers take their positions on stage and receive the suggested object. The facilitator explains the four stages and the importance of building energy and engagement.
2. Stage 1: It
Performers describe the physical qualities of the object — color, shape, texture, smell, material. Each person offers a few short phrases grounded in concrete sensory detail. Keep the tone calm and conversational, as if examining the object on a table in front of you. Stay factual: no metaphors, no stories yet.
3. Stage 2: You
Performers address the object directly, endowing it with human attributes — as if it were a friend, a companion, or someone you have history with. Share what this object means to you personally: a memory, a feeling, a relationship. The tone warms up and becomes more intimate, but remains grounded.
4. Stage 3: You Are
Performers elevate the object to divine or royal status. Use poetic, metaphorical, and mystical language. Speak of the object's significance to society, history, or the cosmos, addressing it as a powerful entity. The tone is theatrical and commanding — you are praising a god.
5. Stage 4: I Am
Performers speak as the spirit or god of the object, making first-person declarations of power and action. Let a distinct character emerge — the voice you find here can seed your character in the scenes that follow. Everyone finishes with a loud shared cry: I am the [object]! — with full vocal and physical commitment.
6. Transition
Immediately after the shared finale the group moves into the first scene of the Harold or the next section of the show. Pay attention to the characters, attitudes, and themes that emerged during the invocation — they are your raw material for the long form.
Key rules
Build energy at every stage — Start calm and conversational in the It stage, then amplify your voice, body, and theatricality with each stage so the group arrives at I Am fully charged and united. The power of the finale depends on having a genuine contrast with the quiet opening.
Stage one is concrete detail only, not poetry — Talk about color, texture, material. No actions or metaphors yet — grounding the opening in physical reality sets a clear departure point for everything that follows.
Stage two is the shift to the personal — Address the object directly and endow it with human attributes, as if it were a companion you have history with. Share what it means to you. This deepens engagement and prepares the group for poetic elevation.
Stage three is poetic elevation — Use mystical, metaphorical language and address the object as a deity. Praise it, exalt it. This raises the theatricality and draws the whole group deeper in.
Stage four is possession and power — Speak as the god of the object, use commanding first-person declarations. Let a distinct character voice emerge here — you may carry it into the scenes that follow. The shared cry must be as strong as possible; it is the peak of the ritual.
Build shared images and themes — Listen to each other and pick up on ideas. When someone offers a striking image, echo or develop it. Repeated motifs make the group more cohesive and give the long form richer material to draw from.
The shared finale is non-negotiable — All performers must shout I am the [object]! together, loudly and with full commitment. This is the signal that the ritual is complete and the next scene is starting.
Transition between stages on the rhythm, not on command — Move to the next stage when a natural pause arrives, not on a cue from the facilitator. This keeps the living flow and shared focus intact.
Format structure
Context
Resources
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