Being a Director

[TheNewGirl]

Since you all seem like nice people with a lot of experience between you, I was wondering if you could help me out with a current dilemma in my life. I'm a high school senior looking to go to college next year and I've come to realize that I LOVE directing. I've directed two one-act plays and assistant directed a big mainstage production at my school (not actually sure why that was important, but I thought I'd throw it out there). In theatre class we learn a lot about how to get started as an actor, but I have no idea how to get started as a director, eep! Any advice you have would be great!

[KeithDB]

Well, if you are going to college with a theater major it will almost certainly have a course in directing, perhaps more than one.

[William212]

That is great!! My advice to you is that before you go to college you should get involved with some of the theatres around here working back stage, hanging lights, learning how to run sound and just being around the theatre. That way you can also see how many directors work and what you like and don't like. That way when you go to college you will have expierence at all area of theatre and will know for sure what it takes to be a director! Why I say this is in Indy even with a directing degree there isn't very many opportunities to direct unless you have been doing it here for years!! Keep involved in your school! That is wonderful!

[bellakat]

Hi!

First of all, have you spoken with your Drama teacher? Your guideance counselor might be someone else who can help you out.

I have no idea what it's like there now, but back when I went to I.U. (I'm a 1985 graduate, so it was quite a while ago,) they had a strong group of undergrad directors there -- if I recall, the class level went up to "Directing 6." All had to direct full-length published works as well as original One-Acts written by the Deparment's MFA Playwrighting candidates. I think that's the kind of program you'd want to check out. I have no idea if I.U.'s program is similar now, but you should certainly check it out.

In the meantime, perhaps a local director might be interested in taking you under their wing and allow you to shadow them or assistant direct. Some of the best directors I've worked with were once actors and know how to talk to them, so keep taking those acting classes as well. (It's usually required that directing students take acting classes in college anyway.)

You may have to do some digging so keep at it until you get your answers!

[greghoward]

William is right - learn and work in every aspect of the theater. Then stage manage, stage manage, stage manage! Most directors in New York got their start by stage managing. Direct when you can, but never turn down an offer to stage manage, particularly in a professional theater.

Read everything you can get your hands on. Make it a habit to read plays, new, old, and everything in between. Read biographies, read fiction, read books on acting and directing, read criticism, read poetry, read history - anything that opens up your vision of the world. Get to know people well. Discover what makes them tick. Every actor, designer, or crew member has a different personality and sees the world in their own unique way. Theater is a collaboration and your job as a director is to get the absolute best work out of everyone involved. The more you learn how to connect with different kinds of people, the more successful you will be at inspiring them creatively.

Go to museums and art galleries. You can find a lot of inspiration in great works of art. Listen to music. Even better, learn to play a musical instrument. The great plays have a lot in common with music. They are filled with different rhythms, tones, tempos, crescendos and decrescendos. A three-act play has a lot in common with a symphony in three movements. Each act has its own separate character and when put together they create one beautiful whole.

Do your best to get along with everybody. Treat people kindly. Be warm and generous. Believe in people and let them know you believe in them. Encourage them. Look for the good before you point out the bad. It's always there even though we often choose not to see it. A little nurturing goes a long way.

And finally, be patient, both with yourself and with others. Allow the creative process to begin working before you get in there and start telling people what to do. You must have a vision and you must share that vision, and ultimately it is up to you to unify the final product, but that final product is always better if you allow for other's creative ideas. They are often much better than anything you could think up yourself.

I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Greg Howard

[TheNewGirl]

Thank you all so much for your great advice! I really appreciate it. I've been thinking about what to study in college and I'm kind of undecided as to what my major should be. I know that I will be doubling something in theatre with music education, but most colleges don't have an undergraduate degree in "directing". I've been thinking about maybe going with theatre education? I'm not sure what the best direction to go would be.

[rebthebecca]

'Theatre Education' would most certainly require directing skills.... Who do you think directs all the high school productions?

At my college, theatre majors could tailor their theatre classes according to the emphasis they chose. A directing emphasis was one of the choices. I'm pretty sure most theatre majors operate this way. You are expected to be familiar with all aspects of the theatre-- performing, directing, design, but can tailor your schedule to emphasize the area that most interests you.

[brianactor]

Hands on experience is always good! It's, honestly, the best kind of education you can get....Assisting Directors is a huge must too! Watching how directors learn, asking questions...getting involved in the process. Since you have access to IA...get involved at a theatre near you...or better yet...all the theatre's. The more experience you can gain from every type of director the better. Of course, at school you will have directing classes...design..etc...take all you can..as well as the acting classes. Understanding an actor and their process is a very excellent key to have as a director! Many directors don't "understand" and actor or their process..or types of process. ALSO...read, read, read...So many books on directing and directors...Check them out! But most important...never stop trying! AND always stick to your heart and beliefs!
B

[brianactor]

ALSO...if you would be interested in obvserving directors...contact IRT...they do intern "sit-in's" for students...Contact Millicent Wright at IRT...ALSO....I'm directing "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" by TW (a director's dream author) in Feb at CCP. contact me if you want a sit in or anything to help you out! brianactor@hotmail.com

I wish you the best!
B