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.”
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