Chapter 8Chapter 8

The Art of DirectingThe Art of Directing

DirectorsDirectors

Turn the script into a production Coordinate the efforts of a team of

collaborators Represent the intentions of the playwright

and the expectations of the audience Inspire the actors to perform their best Create an environment in which each

member of the theatre ensemble can excel Offer creative solutions to questions and

problems Demonstrate strong communication skills

Directing: A HistoryDirecting: A History

The word director comes from the Greek didaskalos, or teacher

Middle Ages pageants and the conducteur des secrets

The playwright as director (i.e. Moliere) The actor-manager of the 19th century

George II, the Duke of Saxe-George II, the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1826-1914)Meiningen (1826-1914)

First director in the modern senseLong rehearsal periodsAttention to detail in actingAdvocated historical accuracy in the

scenographyKeen ability to stage large ensemble

scenes

Konstantin StanislavkyKonstantin Stanislavky(1863-1938)(1863-1938)

Viewed directing as a Viewed directing as a process of discovery process of discovery rather than simply rather than simply being that of a traffic being that of a traffic copcop

Emphasized that each Emphasized that each role on and off the role on and off the stage was very stage was very importantimportant

Encouraged long Encouraged long explorative rehearsal explorative rehearsal periodsperiods

The Directing ProcessThe Directing ProcessIn the BeginningIn the Beginning

Script analysisExplore the world of the play in terms of

character, language and environment

DramaturgAssists the director in researching and thinking

about the play, the playwrights, the audience and questions of style

The Directing ProcessThe Directing ProcessStructural AnalysisStructural Analysis

ThemeThemeCharactersCharactersLanguageLanguageEnvironmentEnvironmentPlotPlot

French scenesBeats

The Directing ProcessThe Directing ProcessConcept to CastingConcept to Casting

Production ConceptThe primary metaphor, symbol, or concept that is

essential to the production of this playProduction meetings serve to bring the production

team a central point in the collaborative process

CastingCast to typeCast against typeGender-neutral castingCross-gender castingColor-blind casting

The Director in RehearsalThe Director in RehearsalFocusFocus

Shared focusShared focusStealing focus or upstagingStealing focus or upstagingProfileProfileStage areasStage areasTriangulationTriangulation

The Director in RehearsalThe Director in RehearsalPicturizationPicturization

The Director Collaborates with The Director Collaborates with OthersOthers

Assistant directorStage manager

Assistant stage managerMovement coach

Fight directorVocal or dialect coachMusic directorChoreographer

Assistant choreographerDance director

Types of Directors:Types of Directors:InterpretiveInterpretive

Interpretive directors attempt to translate the play as they think the playwright would want it to be.

“The dramatist expresses himself mainly through words, the director through action …”Harold Clurman, American director

Types of Directors:Types of Directors:CreativeCreative

Creative Directors create “concept Creative Directors create “concept productions” based on their unique ideas productions” based on their unique ideas or interpretations of a play scriptor interpretations of a play script

““The theatre of the future will be a theatre of The theatre of the future will be a theatre of visions … an art which says less yet shows visions … an art which says less yet shows more … art which springs from movement, more … art which springs from movement, movement which is the very symbol of life.”movement which is the very symbol of life.” Gordon Craig, scenographerGordon Craig, scenographer

Types of Directors:Types of Directors:Contemporary TrendsContemporary Trends

EnsembleEnsemble

Directors, designers and actors work Directors, designers and actors work with playwrights in the development of with playwrights in the development of a play from its very conceptiona play from its very conception

Peter BrookPeter BrookDirector of the International Director of the International

Centre…Centre…

““I know of one acid test in the theatre I know of one acid test in the theatre … When the performance is over, what … When the performance is over, what remains? … It is the play’s central remains? … It is the play’s central image that remains, its silhouette, … image that remains, its silhouette, … this shape will be the essence of what this shape will be the essence of what it has to say.”it has to say.”