Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: what to expect from a director

Okay, I'll start by saying "good question", 00420. Then, I'll skip the obvious (have a clue, don't show up drunk, etc). Moving on..... typically the director relinquishes control to the SM at the start of Tech Week, depending on the theater, so these really relate to the rehearsal period. I could elaborate on any that aren't clear if you like. This list is not definitive. I will probably think of ten more right after I click submit. And surely others will have some thoughts. And primarily, it's CT we're talking about here.

As an actor, I expect you the director to (in no certain order):

Be the first one at rehearsal or have a good reason not to be, and have the stage manager there in your place to start rehearsal on time until you get there
Be available to talk privately on break or after for anything requiring more than a moment's discussion during the rehearsal
Dedicate the preassigned rehearsal time to the actors, no one else (designers, techs, producer) - it's our time now, schedule a meeting with them another night
Be encouraging and supportive of all the our efforts
Avoid obvious favoritism towards "old friends" in the cast, or the "better" actors
Avoid flattering yourself out loud on your talents, such as casting or blocking - you're supposed to be good at it
Let the stage manager do his/her job
Make decisions as needed, about costuming or lighting or blocking or whatever
Allow the actors to be more than pre-recorded mouthpieces for the playwright
Be in control, making sure a little leeway isn't taken advantage of by the "center of attention" types
Know the script better than anyone in the cast, at least at first
Provide the cast and crew with a set of rules or guidelines as to how you run a show (ettiquette, etc)
Provide a schedule of rehearsals and performances to avoid conflicts, but be flexible enough to allow for life's intrusions
Give productive notes, not just pick out all the things that weren't up to snuff, and don't belabor the point

I've acted under a few directors who could have used some of these thoughts, and others who appear to have read my mind. As a director, I live by them myself, and again may think of others and revisit the post.

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This doesn't directly apply, but I always try to give some direction to everyone at an audition if at all possible. That way the actors at least get some inkling of whether they can work with me or not. As an actor, I really don't like auditions where I can't get any sense at all of a director's style or approach. I don't want to accept a part and realize the first week that there are communication or compatability problems.

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Author	Message
doublezero420 Star Joined: 4/13/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 50	Topic: what to expect from a director Posted: 11/21/07 at 12:53pm
	I've found several discussions on what Directors expect from their cast, but does anyone have anything they give to thier cast about "what you can expect form me?" I will be directing my second show next spring and will require everyone auditioning to sign a "Cast Expectations" sheet (a modified list of expectations found in this thread and would like to let them know what they can expect from me and my prod. team. thanks!
	aaron “One of my chief regrets during my years in the theater is that I could not sit in the audience and watch me” -John Barrymore

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theactordavid Lead Joined: 5/29/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Posted: 11/23/07 at 9:35am
	Okay, I'll start by saying "good question", 00420. Then, I'll skip the obvious (have a clue, don't show up drunk, etc). Moving on..... typically the director relinquishes control to the SM at the start of Tech Week, depending on the theater, so these really relate to the rehearsal period. I could elaborate on any that aren't clear if you like. This list is not definitive. I will probably think of ten more right after I click submit. And surely others will have some thoughts. And primarily, it's CT we're talking about here. As an actor, I expect you the director to (in no certain order): Be the first one at rehearsal or have a good reason not to be, and have the stage manager there in your place to start rehearsal on time until you get there Be available to talk privately on break or after for anything requiring more than a moment's discussion during the rehearsal Dedicate the preassigned rehearsal time to the actors, no one else (designers, techs, producer) - it's our time now, schedule a meeting with them another night Be encouraging and supportive of all the our efforts Avoid obvious favoritism towards "old friends" in the cast, or the "better" actors Avoid flattering yourself out loud on your talents, such as casting or blocking - you're supposed to be good at it Let the stage manager do his/her job Make decisions as needed, about costuming or lighting or blocking or whatever Allow the actors to be more than pre-recorded mouthpieces for the playwright Be in control, making sure a little leeway isn't taken advantage of by the "center of attention" types Know the script better than anyone in the cast, at least at first Provide the cast and crew with a set of rules or guidelines as to how you run a show (ettiquette, etc) Provide a schedule of rehearsals and performances to avoid conflicts, but be flexible enough to allow for life's intrusions Give productive notes, not just pick out all the things that weren't up to snuff, and don't belabor the point I've acted under a few directors who could have used some of these thoughts, and others who appear to have read my mind. As a director, I live by them myself, and again may think of others and revisit the post.
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eveharrington Celebrity Joined: 8/28/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 198	Posted: 11/23/07 at 7:40pm
	Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know", but be prepared with an answer by the next rehearsal.
	"If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights."
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jayzehr Celebrity Joined: 8/11/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 537	Posted: 11/24/07 at 1:32pm
	This doesn't directly apply, but I always try to give some direction to everyone at an audition if at all possible. That way the actors at least get some inkling of whether they can work with me or not. As an actor, I really don't like auditions where I can't get any sense at all of a director's style or approach. I don't want to accept a part and realize the first week that there are communication or compatability problems.
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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Topic: what to expect from a director( Topic Closed)