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Intro to Theatre . DIRECTING. Why the director?. Because the product of the director's art is not directly visible, audible, or sensed, it is perhaps the most ambiguous and mysterious in the theatre. Didaskalos ( διδάσκ α λος ).
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Intro to Theatre DIRECTING
Why the director? Because the product of the director's art is not directly visible, audible, or sensed, it is perhaps the most ambiguous and mysterious in the theatre.
Didaskalos(διδάσκαλος) Although the development of the director has occurred in the past century, DIRECTINGhas been going on since theatre began. Greek – teacher Medeival – master
Playwrights served as directors during the “Golden Age” The French playwright, actor and “director” Moliere
Actor-managers served as directors David Garrick Edwin Booth Henry Irving English Actor-Manager American Actor-Manager English Actor-Manager 1717-1779 1833-1893 1838-1905
At first, teacher-directors provided knowledge of the accumulated wisdom of the "correct" performance… Richard Burbage, The Globe Theatre Moliere and the ComedieFrancaise
Realistic directors ...sought to rehearse a company toward a comprehensive theatrical presentation that reflected real life.
The first Modern Director Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen1826-1914
Productions of the Meiningen Players were vigorously rehearsed and inspired other “new” directors
Andre Antoine in France “The Earth” at Theatre Antoine, 1900
Konstantin Stanislavski in Russia The Seagull at the Moscow Art Theatre - 1898
Directors who allied themselves with nonrealistic playwrights, however, soon began another phase...the Stylizing directors who aim at the creation of originality, theatricality, and style. Their numbers are still growing.
Unrestrained by verisimilitude, these directors introduced symbolism, an expressive and abstract use of design, explosive theatricality, and contrived methods of acting that continue to affect drama and theatre profoundly.
Irene Ryan in Bob Fosse’s original staging
Functions of the Director When an independent producer is not involved, the director accepts responsibility for the financial support of the production as THE PRODUCER.
VISION Fundamentally, the director envisions the primary lines of the productions and provides the leadership to realize that vision.
Before rehearsals begin THE DIRECTOR selects the play, formulates the concept, selects designers, guides collaborators in designing the look and sound of the show, and casts the actors.
During the implementation phase much of the director's focus turns to the actors, as she stages movement, coaches the actors, conducts the pacing, coordinates the designs with the acting and general staging.
Where do directors come from? Mike Nicholswas an actorand acomedian
Susan Stroman was a choreographer married to a stage director. When he died unexpectedly, she took over his final project...
Today most have trained as directors in a conservatory or dramatic graduate program... The Julliard School, NYC
Programs of note include... NYU – TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTSUNIVERSITY OF TEXASNORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITYJULLIARDROOSEVELT UCLAUSCWASHINGTON MINNESOTA STATE MANKATO UMKC UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
Graduate degrees in other fields can be useful Literature Dance Film Mathematics Education Humanities Art and Design Sociology and/or PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN Stage Management Acting Theatrical Design
a sound knowledge of theatre history, styles, and masterworks
...and a familiarity with the potentials of technology, design, and theatrical space.
THE DIRECTOR’S ROLE Communicate a vision for the production
Working with actors Casting Staging Rehearsing Coaching Pacing Laurie Metcalf and Joe Mantello
Prepare for opening night... Tech rehearsals Dress rehearsals Previews
NOTABLE DIRECTORS Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen
Konstantin Stanislavski The Lower Depths, 1904
Peter Brook RSC, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1970
Matthew Warchus Boeing, Boeing - 2008 ArtLife (x) 3 Lord of the RingsNorman ConquestsGod of Carnage LaBete