TH 101: Intro to Theatre
DIRECTING
Why the director?
Because the product of the director's art is not directly
visible, audible, or sensed, it is perhaps the most
ambiguous and mysterious in the theatre.
Didaskalos
(διδάσκαλος)
Although the development of
the director has occurred in
the past century, DIRECTING
has been going on since
theatre began.
Greek – teacher
Medeival – master
Playwrights served as directors during
the “Golden Age”
The French playwright, actor and
“director” Moliere
Actor-managers served as directors from
the 17th through the 19th centuries
David Garrick
English Actor-Manager
1717-1779
Edwin Booth
American Actor-Manager
1833-1893
Henry Irving
English Actor-Manager
1838-1905
At first, teacher-directors
provided knowledge of
the accumulated
wisdom of the "correct"
performance…
Richard Burbage,
The Globe Theatre
Moliere and the
Comedie Francaise
Realistic directors
...sought to rehearse a company toward a
comprehensive theatrical presentation that
reflected real life.
The first Modern Director
Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen
1826-1914
Productions of the Meiningen Players were
vigorously rehearsed and inspired other “new”
directors
Andre Antoine in France
“The Earth” at Theatre Antoine, 1900
Konstantin Stanislavski in
Russia
The Seagull at the Moscow Art Theatre
- 1898
Directors who allied themselves with
nonrealistic playwrights, however, soon
began another phase...the Stylizing
directors who aim at the creation of
originality, theatricality, and style.
Their numbers are still growing.
Unrestrained by verisimilitude, these directors introduced symbolism, an
expressive and abstract use of design, explosive theatricality, and
contrived methods of acting that continue to affect drama and theatre
profoundly.
Today, the director has nearly
limitless possibilities when
considering a vision for his
or her work.
War Horse on Broadway
Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris
Directed by Jerry Mitchell
Fun Home
The Flick
HAMILTON directed by Thomas Kail
Founding director Guy Laliberté
Functions of the Director
When an independent producer is not involved, the
director accepts responsibility for the financial
support of the production as THE PRODUCER.
VISION
Fundamentally, the director envisions the primary lines
of the productions and provides the leadership to
realize that vision.
Ah, Wilderness - Directed by Joe Dowling
Before rehearsals begin
THE DIRECTOR selects the play, formulates the concept,
selects designers, guides collaborators in designing the look
and sound of the show, and casts the actors.
During rehearsals
much of the director's focus turns to the actors,
as she stages movement, coaches the actors,
conducts the pacing, coordinates the designs
with the acting and general staging.
Director Jose Cura
Ionesco’s THE CHAIRS
Where do directors come from?
Mike Nichols
was an actor
and a
comedian
Susan Stroman was a choreographer married to a
stage director. When he died unexpectedly, she took
over his final project...
David Mamet was a playwright and
an acting teacher
Today most have trained as directors in a conservatory
or dramatic graduate program...
The Julliard School, NYC
University of Washington
School of Drama
Programs of note include...
NYU – TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
CARNEGIE-MELLON
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
JULLIARD
ROOSEVELT
UCLA
USC
WASHINGTON
Graduate degrees in other
fields can be useful
Literature
Dance
Mathematics Education
Art and Design
Film
Humanities
Sociology
and/or
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN
Stage Management
Acting
Theatrical Design
Where aspiring directors have
developed...
Rabbit Hole - directed by Jim Bartruff
a strong literary and visual
imagination
strength in conceptualization
Spring Awakening - 2015 revival
Directed by Michael Arden
a sound knowledge of theatre
history, styles, and masterworks
...and a familiarity with the
potentials of technology, design,
and theatrical space.
THE DIRECTOR’S ROLE
Communicate a vision for the production
Collaborate with designers
Working with actors
Laurie Metcalf and Joe Mantello
Casting
Staging
Rehearsing
Coaching
Pacing
Prepare for opening night...
Tech
rehearsals
Dress
rehearsals
Previews
Jerry Mitchell’s ON YOUR FEET
South Pacific at ESU
NOTABLE DIRECTORS
Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen
Konstantin Stanislavski
The Lower Depths, 1904
Peter Brook
RSC, A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, 1970
Mike Nichols
Matthew
Warchus
Boeing, Boeing - 2008
Art
Life (x) 3
Lord of the Rings
Norman Conquests
God of Carnage
LaBete
Matilda, the Musical
God of Carnage - 2008
LaBete on Broadway 2010
Matilda on Broadway
Susan
Stroman
CONTACT - 2000
The Producers
2001
Young Frankenstein - 2007
The Scottsboro Boys - 2010
Big Fish
Little Dancer
Julie Taymor
The Lion King
The Magic Flute
Joe Mantello
Wicked
The Santaland Diaries
Blackbird
THE LAST SHIP
Doug Hughes
2010
2005
Speak the speech, I pray you...
STAGE DIRECTORS AND
CHOREOGRAPHERS
Began in 1962 when Bob Fosse was contracted to direct
and choreograph LITTLE ME...
Who will be next?