Chapter 8 The Art of Directing

The Birth of Directors The word director comes from the Greek didaskalos, or teacher. The playwright or lead actor as director. The actor-manager of the 19th century.

The Birth of Directors George II, the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1826-1914) Credited as first modern director. His wealth allowed him to construct his own theatre and organize a resident company of actors and artists. Long rehearsal periods and attention to detail in acting. Advocated historical accuracy. Stanislavsky was so impressed that he used many of the Duke’s techniques with the Moscow Art Theatre.

Before Rehearsals Begin Script analysis Works with the playwright (if available). Spends countless hours rereading the script. Combing newspaper archives, and researching the history and criticism of the play. Might work with a Dramaturg, who assists the Director in researching and thinking about the play, the playwright, the audience, and questions of style.

Before Rehearsals Begin Structural Analysis Theme Characters Language Plot French scenes Beats Michael Brosilow/The Goodman Theatre

Realizing the Production Concept The primary metaphor, symbol, or concept that is essential to the production of this play Production meetings serve to bring the production team a central point in the collaborative process © P. Switzer

Casting the Right Actors Cast to type Cast against type Gender-neutral casting Cross-gender casting Color-blind casting Joan Marcus

The Director’s Role During Rehearsals Blocking Shared focus Profile Stealing focus Stage areas Triangulation AP Photo/Jerome Delay

The Director’s Role During Rehearsals Picturization © 2013 Cengage Learning

The Director’s Role During Rehearsals Notice how every seated actors’ focus is on the actor standing. The director is utilizing level, gaze and contrast to draw the audience’s eye. University of Wyoming Archives

The Director’s Role During Rehearsals Can you see how the director is using triangulation with the blocking? University of Wyoming Archives

Types of Directors Interpretive directors attempt to translate the play from the page to the stage as accurately as possible. Michael Brasilow/The Goodman Theatre

Types of Directors Creative Directors create “concept productions” based on their unique ideas or interpretations of a play script. Krysta Ficca/Micki Panttaja

Contemporary Trends Directors, designers and actors work with playwrights in the development of a play from its very conception. Richard Feldman

Curtain Call The Director: Takes his/her artistic vision and turns the printed script into a production. Coordinates dozens of theatre artists, technicians, and other personnel to work toward that vision. Represents the audience by deciding exactly what the audience will see. Synthesizes the work of the playwright, the designers, and the performers into a unique theatrical event.