The Chameleon Lab, Revealed!
WILDe has been buzzing with activity this season, but one project has been quietly taking shape away from the spotlight. The Chameleon Lab — WILDe's crew dedicated to building a play from a limited script — has been deep in its creative process, and until now, the wider WILDe community hasn't heard a word about what's been brewing. That changes today. We sat down with co-directors Gyula Szijjarto and Timothé Mathelin to pull back the curtain on their latest experimental creation.
Q: What attracted you to directing a piece where the play is still evolving during rehearsal?
Timothé: Funny story is I actually took part in the first edition of the Chameleon Lab two years ago, back in 2023. Gyula here and Sofiya Petrova were directing it back then. I absolutely loved the concept of developing theatre skills, creating a bond with the cast, and putting up something all together at the end. It really brings a different sense of achievement. I liked it so much that I'm co-directing it now haha. What's dear to me is that the concept we use in the Chameleon Lab is going back to the roots of WILDe. That's how things used to be in our first years and where we come from as an association. I find it fulfilling to be honouring that.
Gyula: It is the only way I have ever directed actually. In my first year in WILDe I was about to direct one of the main productions where I already implemented this approach, if only Covid-19 wouldn't have cut the year in half... When I was on the board I kept experimenting with such projects, until finally 2-3 years ago I came up with the concept of the Chameleon Lab and together with Sofiya implemented its first version. Why I'm so keen on this approach? It is how I learned theater and acting as a form of self-expression and performing arts. The goal of amateur theater in my eyes is to realize something about ourselves and/or the world together in a group, actors directors alike, and form this message which is truly ours into a performance of any kind. The director is an enabler, coach, guide in this process to form a common vision instead of implementing their own.
Q: How do you balance giving actors freedom to shape the script while still guiding the overall vision of the Chameleon Lab?
Timothé: What we did is we first organised a film screening and all watched it together. Then, Gyula and I divided it into different scenes and shared the plan with the cast. Now that they know the plot and the characters, we're letting them come up with how the scenes unfold and how they want to portray the characters. We're here to guide them in their process of building the scenes and bring more detail, but everyone knows the overall plan, and the ideas we've seen so far are already wonderful!
Gyula: We — Timothé and me — come up with the overarching structure/timeline of the play. Run this by the actors. Then once the context is clear, the actors actually provide all of the initial input. Once they brought us their first take/edition of a scene, we respect that input and collaboratively try to bring out the most of it.
Q: How are changes to the Chameleon Lab currently being captured and decided during rehearsals?
Timothé: Regarding changes compared to the original source material, Gyula and I first discussed what our vision was for the overall narrative so we both had a common agreement, and then we shared it with the cast. We also really value their opinion so we had a long talk about the overall vision and now we're all in sync! For smaller details, we just discuss it with them as they're building the scenes.
Gyula: I think we have a common understanding usually of what needs to be done. Then an actor comes, out of nowhere, with something brilliant and/or impressive, and it just becomes part of the play.
Q: What kind of rehearsal environment are you creating so actors feel comfortable taking creative risks?
Timothé: First of all, getting to know each other. It's much harder to let go with strangers in the room. That's why we start out with a lot of fun theatre games, and gradually build into exercises and useful practice. It's also important to foster a positive atmosphere, and we do that by being encouraging and supportive. It's difficult to completely let go as an actor, and I'm so proud to see the cast manage it every time.
Gyula: We find it very important that everyone knows each other, is treated with equal attention, and feels heard because they are listened to. In the first part of the project, before we even start talking about a play, we provide trainings on different disciplines of theater so that everyone gets roughly on the same page. We play plenty of theater games where actors can collaborate, experiment, go crazy... And we also never start a rehearsal before having heard from everyone in some detail what is going on with them personally.
Q: At this stage of the process, what has surprised you most about how the play is developing with the actors?
Timothé: Honestly, how easy going it is. As I said earlier, there's a wonderful chemistry, and that makes the process so pleasant and easy. Everybody is onboard and always excited to come to rehearsals. As a director, that's one of the most rewarding sentiments.
Gyula: It has been a very rewarding experience to direct the Chameleon Lab every year because so many talented people who never acted before were able to surprise an entire audience by the end with some unexpected virtuoso performances. This is just as true this year as it was before. I think my jaw drops at least once at every rehearsal when yet another actor surprises us with their interpretation of a casual exercise. We're already so proud of them, I cannot wait to see the end product!
One thing is clear: whatever is taking shape in those rehearsal rooms is something special. A cast of performers growing bolder with every session, two directors who believe in the magic of collective creation, and a play that is still writing itself — the Chameleon Lab's latest production is shaping up to be one not to miss. Stay tuned.
Written by Anna Galtsova, a Writing Committee member and a legendary veteran of WILDe!
You can find Anna on Instagram: @gal.tsova