The Bible Workshops
The Open Theater began discussing and improvising from the book of Genesis in October of 1968. Chaikin's original intention at the time of starting the "Bible workshop" had been to speculate on the life of Jesus between the ages of fifteen and thirty- the period of which there is no record. However, the troupe was so fascinated by the questions posed in Genesis that they decided to focus on that portion of the Bible instead. Some questions posed and explored: what was the Garden of Eden, visually? How did the serpent interest Eve in the apple; was the encounter sexual? What actually changed when Eve bit into the apple? Who is God, and how did he manifest his curse at that moment? How can you convey the violence of the first murder of Abel by Cain?

The goal was not to find absolute answers to these questions, or to prove or disprove the myths, but to visualize the inquiries through improvisation. Chaikin introduced new techniques into the troupe in order to free the minds and bodies of his actors. Physically, Chaikin began to work with his actors so that their physical actions matched their inner impulses- a technique inspired by the work of Polish director Jerzy Grotowski. The troupe even worked in the nude early on to free themselves from any physical inhibitions that might stunt the process. To liberate their minds, the Open Theater read the works of Carl Jung, Albert Einstein, Allen Ginsberg and other authors and theorists to explore more holistic, universal conceptions of paradise, sin, and salvation. Chaikin also invited guest lecturers such as Joseph Campbell and Susan Sontag to speak about the myth of Genesis and its effect on contemporary society. Ultimately, the actors were investigating the power which the creation and damnation myth of our culture exercised in their personal lives.