Direct or Co Direct a Play

How to Direct (or Co-Direct) a play. Do you want to direct a school, community, or professional play? You shouldn't have to sweat it out. I'll teach you from the beginning to the end.

Steps

1. Read the play several times and familiarize yourself with every character, even those with nonspeaking roles.
2. If you were selected/chosen to be the director before casting, then you are probably going to the do the casting yourself. DO NOT cast people you know personally, unless they happen to audition well. Make a list of those you would like to see again. I suggest calling everyone back, including those with whom you were undecided.
3. The first rehearsal should be a "read through." Don't worry about acting now. Have all the actors and technical staff introduce themselves to everyone. Explain that they are welcome to bring their problems or questions to you.
4. For all the rehearsals, make sure you have the set structure down. That way the actors know what exists and what is total emptiness.
5. Do not tell your actors HOW TO act; they should bring their own ideas. Do feel free to offer examples of acting choices, depending on what the script calls for. If a scene is not working right, you may adjust.
6. Blocking and line memorization are more important than actual acting in the beginning stages.
7. Make sure that the technical components of your show are 100% ready. You don't want a scene ruined after a character kills himself onstage, making the actor try to stay as still as possible, while the lights have been left on for five minutes by mistake!
8. Solve all problems yourself, or assign them to an assistant director. If an actor is giving you trouble, whether clearly at fault or trying to make trouble, remind him or her that you are the director and you can recast at ANY TIME. Any actor can learn all the lines and blocking in a single weekend.
9. Oversee stage manager. You want someone you trust to be "on book" and helping backstage.
10. Oversee publicity and ticket sales.
11. At show time, you may sit in the audience, sound booth, or backstage to ensure that everything is running smoothly and no emergency occurs.

Warnings

• Make sure you have understudies at hand; this will keep you from having to cancel a performance due to injury or sickness.

Related Articles

• Be a Good Director
• Organize a School Play
• Be Good in a Play
• Direct a Movie

See also

• Be a Stage Manager
• Start and Manage a Theatre Company
• Practise Proper Etiquette for a Broadway Show
• Become a Set Designer
• Become a Broadway Actor
• Produce a Play
• Memorize Your Lines
• Become a Good Stage Manager
• Make a Monologue
• Become an Actress With No Experience

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What links here

• Produce a Play