The Art of the Director

*Kid Stakes rehearsal 2021

I am writing this from the position of a past Director of local Community productions, not processional. When you put up your hand to direct you might run up against two possible scenarios, depending on the theatre company. First, you may be thrown totally in the deep end and basically told to get on with it or two, you may get a manual which list all you roles and responsibilities. Which ever scenario you face the most important attributes are that you are a people person who can communicate with your cast. That may sound very obvious but as a cast member in over forty productions you would be amazed how often the director fails to adequately communicate and in the end lurches towards an almost authoritarian approach.

As a Director you need to understand that while you are in charge creatively you have a cast of people who bring their own life experiences and theatrical experiences who more often than not want a Director who understands the meaning of collaboration. Collaboration done right can turn the entire rehearsal process into a wonderful cocktail of creativity and a real joy. In the end you as Director have the final say but in my experience if you collaborate with your cast you rarely if ever need to make that final decision.

In part two I will talk about how you can use your own experiences both creative and life to help when you may have a cast member who is struggling.