Theatre is real-time - you get that real-time audience reaction

Host: The room was quiet, with only the soft rustling of pages filling the air. Jack sat, his eyes focused on something he had just read. Jeeny, sitting across from him, noticed the thoughtful expression on his face and set her tea aside, sensing that something deeper had caught his attention.

Jeeny: (gently) “You look deep in thought. What’s on your mind?”

Jack: (looking up slowly, a thoughtful smile on his lips) “I was just reflecting on a quote from Elizabeth Diller. She said, ‘Theatre is real-time — you get that real-time audience reaction, which is fantastic. And with art pieces, people don’t ever have to explain themselves. You can do something and really follow a research. With architecture, you have to be much more public. You have to build consensus. You have to work within the law. There are more complexities.’ It made me think about the differences between various creative fields and how each comes with its own set of challenges and rewards.”

Host: Jeeny leans forward slightly, clearly intrigued by Diller’s perspective. The quiet in the room deepens as she reflects on what Jack said.

Jeeny: “That’s a really interesting distinction, isn’t it? Theatre, art, and architecture — they’re all forms of creativity, but each requires a different kind of engagement and process. In theatre, you get immediate feedback from the audience, which allows for this dynamic relationship between creator and viewer. But with art, there’s this sense of freedom; you can create something that doesn’t need to be explained — it’s open to interpretation. But architecture… that’s a whole different animal. You have to work within so many constraints, like the law and public opinion, which makes it a more public and collaborative process.”

Jack: (nodding) “Exactly. In theatre, you can test things in real time and get immediate reactions, which can be exhilarating. The audience shapes the experience with their feedback. With art, you have the space to create something that might be more personal, more about following your own intuition or research. But architecture — that’s about building something that’s not just for yourself, but for the public, something that will be experienced by many people and that has to be practical, functional, and legal.”

Host: Jeeny smiles softly, clearly reflecting on the complexities that Diller brings up. The room feels a little quieter now, as if they’re both contemplating the intricate balance between creativity and responsibility.

Jeeny: “It’s like each of these fields demands a different level of accountability. Theatre and art allow for more freedom of expression, and you can test your ideas with less immediate consequence. But with architecture, there’s this need to think about the broader impact — the people who will use the space, the regulations that must be followed, and the fact that it has to be something functional as well as beautiful. It’s about creating something that’s not just personal, but also community-oriented.”

Jack: “Yeah, and what’s interesting about architecture is that it’s not just about the design itself. It’s about creating a shared space that everyone interacts with. It has to take into account so many factors: the environment, the laws, the needs of the people who will use it. It’s this delicate balance of creativity and practicality, of vision and responsibility.”

Host: Jeeny’s expression softens as she considers the delicate nature of balancing creativity with the constraints that come with working in a public space. The conversation feels more intimate now, as if they’ve uncovered a deeper understanding of the creative process across different disciplines.

Jeeny: “I think it’s a reminder that every field of creativity has its own set of challenges and freedoms. Theatre lets you interact with the audience in real time, art gives you room for personal expression, and architecture, though it might feel more restricted, has the power to shape spaces that impact so many lives. The complexity in each one comes from how it balances personal creativity with something larger.”

Jack: (smiling) “Exactly. Every creative field has its own nuances, its own requirements. But at the heart of all of them is the desire to create something that resonates, whether with an individual or with a whole community. It’s about translating your vision into something that’s meaningful.”

Host: The room grows quieter, the understanding that each creative pursuit requires a different approach, balancing personal expression with larger responsibilities. Elizabeth Diller’s words serve as a reminder that creativity doesn’t exist in a vacuum — it is shaped by the environment, the audience, the rules, and the impact it will have on the world. Each discipline has its own set of complexities, but all share the common thread of bringing something meaningful into existence.