Even in the most concerted process-oriented endeavors there comes that moment when we must switch from creation to interpretation and consider the script, for all intents and purposes, “locked”…right? Or do we continue to implement scriptural and technical adjustments right up until the first audience takes their seats…and after? Or do we wait until the production closes to avoid wreaking havoc on the cast and crew by meddling with the script and instead allow ourselves the opportunity to learn from the audience’s experience with the piece-something that we could only guess at in the rehearsal room?

It’s worth considering how much of what we do in the process is dictated by where we are in the process. The closer we get to the inevitable coming of the first audience, the narrower the margin becomes between development and interpretation-between making improvements and taking larger risks.

Typically, when one thinks of taking risks in theatre, one might consider our debut production last spring: Lie with Me by Keith Bridges. The piece was developed in collaboration with members of our company and told the story of a man who falls in love with his own daughter.  What could be riskier than a brand-new company doing a brand-new play about incest?

For Mutineer’s second full production, we shifted gears a bit and decided to delve into company member Taylor Coffman’s whimsical satire of love and relationships in Ditch. While the comedic moments are sure to amuse, it was the piece’s complex genre-twisting that engaged the company and gave us plenty to explore and play with. As a result, the development process also proved to be complex as we dug further and further into making sense of this multi-faceted world. With only weeks before opening, we needed to make a necessary transition and flip the switch from “create” to “interpret” and prepare all of the elements for the audience to experience the play. But development was far from over.

After our second week of performances we were able to better assess the piece and with significant feedback from audiences and the company, we decided to reconvene the cast and production team and implement script and technical changes we felt would further refine the piece. The risk being, of course, we would do more damage than good but we felt obligated to stay true to the company’s mission of development. After our third week of performances we could all agree the alterations significantly improved the caliber of our production and, in turn, the play.

As Ditch continues to play to audiences, we continue to work to further develop the piece by actively collecting feedback from all who attend the shows. In the end, Mutineer can respond with “all of the above” to the questions posed in the first paragraph of this blog as we strive to focus on the material as our priority while recognizing the audience is an essential part of our play development process-a process that will continue long after closing night has come and gone.

Jon Cohn is the Artistic Director of the Mutineer Theatre Company.

Ditch by Taylor Coffman, directed by Cohn, continues Fri.-Sat., 8 pm; Sun., 7 pm; through Feb. 28. Tickets: $18. Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; 323.960.7787 or plays411.com/ditch.