Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: From the frying pan into the fire

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spikesgirl
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Topic: From the frying pan into the fire
Posted: 5/23/08 at 12:42pm

I have been assistant directing for all of four weeks now. Yesterday, our director had a medical emergency and called to tell me rehearsal was all mine that night- four scenes and two musical numbers.

Just want to say it's a lot harder than it looked from the director's table. Thankfully, the choreographer was very helpful and the actors were extremely patient. All in all, the director's cap is not for me. I'm going back to set design. I understand the script from that angle, not from the directing one.

Still, just wanted to tip my hat to all you directors out there who make it look so #$&%!! easy.

Charlie

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pdavis69
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Posted: 5/23/08 at 2:09pm

Good for you! I have an AD I rely on heavily who has been working with me for years. I know if something happens and I have to miss, she will run it just the way I would have. Glad your director has that faith in you too.

Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

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spikesgirl
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Posted: 5/24/08 at 6:24pm

The director pulled me aside last night and said that the actors had come to him and told him what a great job I had done. It was nice to get the chance, but there is no way I'd want to do an entire show. I just don't 'see' theater that way. I'm happier designing and stage managing.

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biggertigger
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Posted: 5/24/08 at 7:19pm

Charlie,

Though filling in for a director at the last minute is strenous enough, it is not the same as directing a full show. It is a wonderful, creative process that with proper planning and great communication will be a better experience.

You may find some time down the road that you do want to step forward and try it.

The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.

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sconjott
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Posted: 5/25/08 at 1:36pm

Don't throw in the towel just yet...

First off (if you can) try spreading your wings with a small cast play, if and when you decide to take the director's chair. Musicals are absolute circus shows. Don't expect yourself to fly like an eagle the first time you dive off THAT cliff... sounds like you glided quite well, and I bet you learned a LOT in that one night. CUDOS!

I know it's a LOT easier/safer in set design, Stage Management, and/or on stage, but it's SOOOOO rewarding to wield the brush once in a while instead of always being the brush, or paint, etc.

There are NO small roles, only small actors...

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spikesgirl
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Posted: 5/26/08 at 4:35pm

Thanks for the encouragement, but I'm not sure that's where my heart lies. I love designing, SMing and even working crew, but directing has never been something that has interested me. I only took the AD job at the insistance of my husband to 'broaden' my horizons.

I'm not opposed to it, just that it doens't really fire me up like set designing does - does that make sense?

The director did pull me aside the next night to say that the actors gave me very good marks with my direction, but I think they were just being nice. The real test will be when the director sees what I did and how much of it stays in the show...

Charlie

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JoeMc
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Posted: 5/27/08 at 12:33am

Could it be a situation of like poles detract? Unless it's a case of a mono Pole syndrome - But I think they haven't perfect this, as yet! Think of all the times you have cursed, fumed & idiot checked, the impossible musing of those arty farty Directors expect ions. Charging you to turn the improbable, into the possible & perfect. You will be able to draw all your other disciplines, as a director, to benefit the production. There again it can be as big a draw back, because you can be left doing the lot - usually on your Todd! {Not much help!]

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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spikesgirl
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Posted: 5/29/08 at 5:34pm

Naw, I think it's more a case of him encouraging me to stretch myself and try new things. We just had an actor up and quit - with three weeks to opening beecause he 'kept giving and giving and getting nothing back'. Hmm, all because he didn't get the part he originally auditioned for...some children...

I'm just as happy to leave the griving to someone else!

Charlie

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Author	Message
spikesgirl Celebrity Joined: 3/30/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 129	Topic: From the frying pan into the fire Posted: 5/23/08 at 12:42pm
	I have been assistant directing for all of four weeks now. Yesterday, our director had a medical emergency and called to tell me rehearsal was all mine that night- four scenes and two musical numbers. Just want to say it's a lot harder than it looked from the director's table. Thankfully, the choreographer was very helpful and the actors were extremely patient. All in all, the director's cap is not for me. I'm going back to set design. I understand the script from that angle, not from the directing one. Still, just wanted to tip my hat to all you directors out there who make it look so #$&%!! easy. Charlie

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pdavis69 Celebrity Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437	Posted: 5/23/08 at 2:09pm
	Good for you! I have an AD I rely on heavily who has been working with me for years. I know if something happens and I have to miss, she will run it just the way I would have. Glad your director has that faith in you too.
	Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse
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spikesgirl Celebrity Joined: 3/30/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 129	Posted: 5/24/08 at 6:24pm
	The director pulled me aside last night and said that the actors had come to him and told him what a great job I had done. It was nice to get the chance, but there is no way I'd want to do an entire show. I just don't 'see' theater that way. I'm happier designing and stage managing.
	IP Logged

biggertigger Celebrity Joined: 4/16/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 188	Posted: 5/24/08 at 7:19pm
	Charlie, Though filling in for a director at the last minute is strenous enough, it is not the same as directing a full show. It is a wonderful, creative process that with proper planning and great communication will be a better experience. You may find some time down the road that you do want to step forward and try it.
	The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.
	IP Logged

sconjott Lead Joined: 5/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 35	Posted: 5/25/08 at 1:36pm
	Don't throw in the towel just yet... First off (if you can) try spreading your wings with a small cast play, if and when you decide to take the director's chair. Musicals are absolute circus shows. Don't expect yourself to fly like an eagle the first time you dive off THAT cliff... sounds like you glided quite well, and I bet you learned a LOT in that one night. CUDOS! I know it's a LOT easier/safer in set design, Stage Management, and/or on stage, but it's SOOOOO rewarding to wield the brush once in a while instead of always being the brush, or paint, etc.
	There are NO small roles, only small actors...
	IP Logged

spikesgirl Celebrity Joined: 3/30/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 129	Posted: 5/26/08 at 4:35pm
	Thanks for the encouragement, but I'm not sure that's where my heart lies. I love designing, SMing and even working crew, but directing has never been something that has interested me. I only took the AD job at the insistance of my husband to 'broaden' my horizons. I'm not opposed to it, just that it doens't really fire me up like set designing does - does that make sense? The director did pull me aside the next night to say that the actors gave me very good marks with my direction, but I think they were just being nice. The real test will be when the director sees what I did and how much of it stays in the show... Charlie
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 5/27/08 at 12:33am
	Could it be a situation of like poles detract? Unless it's a case of a mono Pole syndrome - But I think they haven't perfect this, as yet! Think of all the times you have cursed, fumed & idiot checked, the impossible musing of those arty farty Directors expect ions. Charging you to turn the improbable, into the possible & perfect. You will be able to draw all your other disciplines, as a director, to benefit the production. There again it can be as big a draw back, because you can be left doing the lot - usually on your Todd! {Not much help!]
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

spikesgirl Celebrity Joined: 3/30/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 129	Posted: 5/29/08 at 5:34pm
	Naw, I think it's more a case of him encouraging me to stretch myself and try new things. We just had an actor up and quit - with three weeks to opening beecause he 'kept giving and giving and getting nothing back'. Hmm, all because he didn't get the part he originally auditioned for...some children... I'm just as happy to leave the griving to someone else! Charlie
	IP Logged