lack of direction
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3151
Printed Date: 5/19/24 at 10:10am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: lack of direction
Posted By: drose
Subject: lack of direction
Date Posted: 5/01/08 at 12:38pm
Have a production coming up that has been in the works for several months. The director of the show has given the cast ZERO direction. The show was organically blocked and then the director said, (and I quote), "Well, my job is done". The actors are fair upset about it and have asked for guidence, but are told they are doing fine. (And I agree, they are fine. But they are not good, or great...and they could be!) I have been asked by the actors to help them (unoffically) and I will, but the reality is that I cannot do much for them except help them clean up their physical presentation - I can't reblock or redirect their characterization - that's between them and the director (who also happens to be in the show and is only concerned with his performance). It makes me sad, but I don't really know what else I can do. I have spoken with the director, but he seems to turn a deaf ear..."they're doing fine." I don't know that there is any solution other than time...the show will eventually end. I guess I just wanted to vent a little to someone, since my normal sounding boards are all in the show and I'm trying to keep them upbeat!
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Replies:
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 5/01/08 at 1:03pm
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Are you the artistic director of the theatre? Why is it the cast is asking you for help? ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 5/01/08 at 3:26pm
Well, look on the possible bright side. Sometimes lack of direction is better than really bad direction  I'm very curious about productions where the director is actually in the show. How does that work? What's the process? I attempted to do this about ten years ago and only made it through one rehearsal before I decided it was impossible.
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Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 5/01/08 at 9:51pm
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jayzehr - that was my experience as well. I will never attempt it again. |
Posted By: drose
Date Posted: 5/01/08 at 9:55pm
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I am the executive producer for the show, as well as a locally established director and owner of another local theatre company. I am also in the show. (And the choreographer for the pre-show presentation) I was asked to be a special advisor to the director (by the director), but he really isn't interested in my artistic input, just my troubleshooting skills for producing. In addition, two of the four actors in the show are active members of my theatre company and it was I who (foolishly in hindsight) encouraged them to participate in this production.
It doesn't seem to work to actually be in the show that you are directing. At least, I have yet to see it work. the current show is totally lacking in direction (in terms of artistic vision) - it's pretty choppy. The director is a bit of an egomaniac and seems to only be concerned about his performance. I have broached the subject with him, but he made it very clear that he does not need my help in that area. I am trying hard to respect that, but when fellow actors ask for help (and I feel the same way), it's hard not to undermine the director. I know how I would feel if my actors turned on me, but...none of us want a mediocre show.
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Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 5/02/08 at 12:54am
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It's not in my piff to be a Congoozler, in fact I have learnt to sing mute loudly these days, on a lot of productions.
However may I suggest in your situation, you hold a 'Talking Stick' moot, with the whole cast.
I have found these moots, engineered well, have a lot of value in resolving situations.
One of two things can happen in that, the director either will spit the dummy [a repcement may be needed?] &/or accept the outcome.
But more importantly it always brings out the desired result, of the cast being empowered as a stake holder & taking responsibility to own the production.
Depending on your in house politics, you could facilitate the moot or find a strong moderator to control the procedure.
I agree for a director to Direct from the stage, is something I have yet to see happen successfully!
Anyhow Drose it's great to hear from you again.
 ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: drose
Date Posted: 5/02/08 at 4:04am
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Thanks! Life's been crazy/busy. It's good to catch up with all of you again. A lots been going on in my abscence...could take me a few days to get up to snuff. But on topic, I'm afraid that however good your advice is, with only a week left until opening, I may just have to vent a little here, suck it up, and hope for the best. I hesitate to open up a can a worms at this late of a date. It has been a brutal experience, but as always, a good learning tool. "What not to do" lessons are as important as their reverse. (I think. Maybe?) |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 5/02/08 at 8:50am
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I would have to say as Exec. Producer on the show, not only do you have a right to step in with changes and additional direction, that's your duty. If a director isn't doing their job the producer needs to step in to help the director make the needed changes or if he is resistant, replace him.
It's not a situation I would want to be in so I hope things work out for you. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 5/03/08 at 8:54am
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I have to agree with Patrick, you are the Executive Produce and are in charge of the total package. You are also the mediator between the show and the board. If you feel you that your speaking up will be an issue go to the board and have a meeting on how to handle this situation. Then approach the director with your concerns and ultimately how you are going to handle this.
On a side note, having directed shows that I have had a part in is difficult, but that is why you really need a strong Assistant Director that shares the same view as you. But, yes, it can be difficult when you can't truely observe the whole picture. ------------- The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes. |
Posted By: drose
Date Posted: 5/03/08 at 12:11pm
I would agree that something needed to be done, and I believe that I dropped the ball by waiting and hoping that things would work out. I avoided addressing the situation because I was trying to just be an actor. Also, the director is the president of the company (he has no board, and he doesn't want to go for non-profit status--good luck with that ) I signed on as exec. producer at his request because of my theater ties/experience in the community (I started my company 2 1/2 years ago and we are doing well) He didn't want to have to reinvent the wheel to get his project up and going. But he is essentially retaining complete artistic control because I would have to bring all issues to him, and he isn't interested in recognizing them as issues. It's kinda crazy and more than a little frustrating. And now, of course it's too late. We open Wednesday. Maybe we can make progress when we postmortem the show, but my lesson is learned. I will not make this mistake again. Nor will I work with this director again - his learning curve is a little too painful for me.
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Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 5/03/08 at 1:55pm
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Run away fast!!!! But seriously, having dealt with directors that couldn't see the curtain infront of the stage, that is why it is important to be able to do your job as an executive producer. Unfortunately he put you in a perilous position (be the executive producer but have no control). I would just chalk it up to experience, appologize to the cast (they know you did your best), and move onto your next project by learning from this. Mostly, people will forget your association with this project, so try to enjoy the performance of those that are working very hard. ------------- The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes. |
Posted By: drose
Date Posted: 5/03/08 at 6:59pm
| Thanks! It was definitely my mistake to allow myself to be marginalized. Not a mistake I'll make again. But the show opens Tuesday (yes, 3 days away, that Tuesday) and since I'm also in it (one of four actors) I need to abandon this thread and get my head into a good space. Thanks for the support, I'll let you know how it goes. |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 5/03/08 at 10:03pm
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For your opening - TOI TOI CHOOKAS!
{With heart & soul, may you always play to a full house!] ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: drose
Date Posted: 5/04/08 at 12:12pm
| Thanks Joe! |
Posted By: gaftpres
Date Posted: 5/05/08 at 9:05am
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Break a leg! drose and yep I agree with all the other posters, chalk it up to experience and never work with him again. Unfortunate for him, it sound like he is getting a bad reputation and will have difficulty finding actors, producers with future projects. Ultimately he is the responsible person if it doesn't work, I fell bad for the actors. But, as it is with a kidney stone, it too will pass and probably from the sound of it, be just as painful.
Keep up your spirits and at least have fun. ------------- Old volunteers never die, they just get recycled! |
Posted By: ZFix1
Date Posted: 5/06/08 at 2:12pm
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I am a firm believer in letting the director have almost full artistic license as far as where the play is going. But when the diretor is not doing his job, as with anyone in the production, the show suffers. If the show suffers the audience is not getting what they came to see. Therefore as producer it is unfortunately your responsibility to try and fix the problem. I would suggest to the director that he might have bitten off more than he could chew by casting himself in the play he is directing. Then give him the option of acting, with input into the direction, or directing. Theatre is not about the feelings of the on stage or backstage people. It is about the entertainment and enlightenment of the audience. The whole reason we do theatre. I have seen too many plays totally trashed for the same trouble you are going through now. EGOS do not belong on the stage. save them for the press.  ------------- If you can dream it, I can make it happen |
Posted By: notmyshoes
Date Posted: 5/08/08 at 9:33am
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As a director... I feel like I want to take the director's side. If the director is satisfied with the performances, you have to trust them. They probably feel that more direction would be detrimental to the production. Especially if they want organic, realistic performances. Over-directing the actors can lead to a production that emphasizes spectacle over script. If the script is strong enough and the actors are well-cast, they shouldn't need a lot of coaching. Just my two cents. ------------- http://notmyshoes.net/monologues - The Monologue Database - by These Aren't My Shoes Productions |
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 5/10/08 at 4:57pm
I recently helped with a production where an actress was very uncomfortable about taking off their clothing as the script called for. The director told her that it would be ok, but never calmed her fears. The actress mentioned that had she read the script prior to accepting the role she never would have. She felt like the director was failing to listen to her concerns, so much so that she was having panic attacks and wanted to quit the show. I worked with her on the semi-nude scene and made her feel comfortable for the few minutes of taking off the clothes. ------------- The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes. |