A puppet, for example, is just a piece of wood, a couple of rivets, but put them together, and if you know how to do it, and the audience's imagination joins in with this, then a miracle will come out of that machine. That is what we and the audience do in the theatre - we create miracles in that space.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the collaborative power of imagination in creating art and experiences.
Robert Lepage highlights how raw materials alone are insufficient to create magic; it is the combination of skillful craftsmanship and the audience's imagination that brings art to life. In theatre, this collaboration transforms simple elements into extraordinary experiences, illustrating the profound impact of creativity and shared imagination.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech at a theatre opening to emphasize the power of collaboration in art.
Often, particularly towards the end of the process, I think of myself less as a theatre director and more as someone who just directs the traffic. My job is to move the ideas and bits of the show into the places where they work best. Sometimes my job is also to say, 'No.'
I will always demand the right for theatre to talk about anything and anyone. Without exception. None.
The writer has no responsibility other than to jack off in bed alone and write a good page.
I have to accept my role. I will never kill myself like Vincent Van Gogh. Nor will I paint beautiful water lilies like Monet. I can't do that. I'm in the idiot role of being a kiddie book person.
An artist is someone who produces things that people don't need to have but that he - for some reason - thinks it would be a good idea to give them.
Meeting authors is kind of the death of the characters. That is always heartbreaking.
Look out! Be on your guard, because alone of all the arts, music moves all around you.
I see myself first and foremost as a student of expression.
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