Armando (named after Armando Diaz, based on an idea by Del Close)
The Armando is similar to the format Melanie.
An Armando might follow this structure:
- Audience suggestion / prompt
- Armando monologue — based on the suggestion, the monologist (Armando) delivers a monologue rooted in reality and personal experience (a true story).
- Scenes — the other players analyse ("peel") the monologue and play scenes inspired by it. The set should include thematic, commentary and tangential scenes.
- Armando monologue — Armando continues the monologue, illuminating what has been seen and pushing the ideas further.
- Scenes — as above.
- Armando monologue — as above.
- Scenes — as above; by now themes and characters should begin to circulate (recur).
- Armando monologue — as above.
- Scenes — as above.
- Closing Armando monologue — Armando ties together the elements of the piece and closes with a final reference to the original suggestion.
As an evening-length format, several acts can be played, each as a separate Armando. Reincorporation of elements from the first Armando into later acts is possible and welcome.