The first technique that is distinguishable in the play is Wilder's use of minimal scenery. The only thing the audience sees is an empty stage at the beginning of the first act. The scenery doesn't get much more complex from there. Simple, roof-like structures hanging from the ceiling employ houses. Simple tables and chairs in the middle of the stage represent different rooms. The audience is forced to use their imagination. Even though there are no walls, no windows and no doors, the audience envisions a house.

Also forcing audience participation, pantomime is generously used by Wilder throughout the play. At one point in the play, Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Webb snap string-beans together on a bench. The audience sees no

Using these unconventional techniques, Wilder advances the play's universal theme. He upheld its 'simple' theme by using techniques that simplify aspects of the play. He removed props, manipulated time and space and used a narrator to exemplify his play's theme. These strategically used techniques certainly did help advance the theme and at the same time turned the audience into active participants in the play.

Wilder's third attempt to make the audience active participants in the play is the use of planted actors. These planted actors play their first role in the play in Act I when the Stage Manager invites any questions the audience may have for Mr. Webb about Grover's Corners. One planted actor, referred to as 'Lady in a box', asks, "Mr. Webb, is there any culture or love of beauty in Grover's Corners?". Mr. Webb seems to answer the question thoughtfully and to the best of his knowledge. These rehearsed, artificial spectators are randomly placed in the audience with a specific job of asking the Stage Manager and other characters questions and receiving answers about Grover's Corners that actual audience members might want to know. This technique serves two purposes. The first purpose is to provide background information. Linking the audience to the play is the second purpose. These actors make the

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