Theatre Director
Overview
A theatre director is a professional in the field of performing arts who oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a theatre production by unifying various endeavors and aspects of production. The director's function is to ensure the quality and completeness of theatre production and to lead the members of the creative team into realizing their artistic vision for it. The theatre director's role is often compared to that of a film director, but there are significant differences due to the nature of live theatre, which is not typically repeated performance after performance, and the wide variety of tasks and responsibilities that theatre directors have in comparison to film directors.
History
Theatre directing as we understand it today has its roots in ancient Greece, where the playwright would also serve as the director of the play. This practice continued through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, with the playwright still serving as the primary creative force in the production. However, as theatre evolved and became more complex, the need for a separate role of director became apparent. In the 19th century, the role of the director as we know it today began to emerge, with pioneers like Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and André Antoine leading the way.
Roles and Responsibilities
The theatre director's primary duty is to bring together the various creative elements of a production into a unified whole. This includes working with the playwright (if they are alive and involved in the production), the actors, the designers (including set, costume, lighting, and sound), and the stage manager. The director also often works with a dramaturg, a specialist in dramatic composition and theatrical representation, to help shape the production.
The director's responsibilities can be broadly divided into three areas: pre-production, production, and post-production.
Pre-Production
In the pre-production phase, the director typically selects the play, works with the playwright (if applicable), and collaborates with the designers to develop the overall concept or vision for the production. This phase also includes casting, where the director works with a casting director to select the actors for the roles in the play.
Production
During the production phase, the director's main task is to work with the actors in rehearsals to help them understand their characters and the overall arc of the play. The director also works with the designers to ensure that their designs support the overall vision for the production. This phase culminates in technical rehearsals, where all the elements of the production come together for the first time.
Post-Production
In the post-production phase, the director's role is to oversee the final touches to the production and to prepare it for public performance. This includes finalizing lighting and sound cues, working with the stage manager to ensure smooth transitions between scenes, and giving notes to the actors and designers to refine their work.
Styles and Techniques
There are many different styles and techniques that a theatre director may employ, depending on the nature of the production and their own personal approach to directing. Some directors may take a more autocratic approach, making all the decisions and expecting the cast and crew to follow their instructions. Others may take a more collaborative approach, encouraging input from all members of the production team.
Directors may also use a variety of techniques to help the actors develop their characters and understand the play. These can include improvisation, physical exercises, and text analysis. Some directors may also use methodologies developed by theatre practitioners such as Stanislavski, Brecht, or Grotowski.
Training and Education
Many theatre directors have a background in acting, and may have studied theatre or drama at a university or drama school. There are also specific directing programs available at many institutions, which provide training in the various skills and techniques that a director needs.
In addition to formal education, many directors gain experience by working as assistant directors, observing experienced directors at work, and directing their own small-scale productions.
Notable Theatre Directors
There have been many notable theatre directors throughout history, who have made significant contributions to the field. These include Konstantin Stanislavski, who developed the system of acting that bears his name; Bertolt Brecht, who developed the concept of "epic theatre"; and Peter Brook, whose innovative productions have had a major influence on contemporary theatre.