The document discusses the history and role of the director in theater. It traces the evolution of the director from the Greek didaskalos or teacher, to the modern director like George II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen in the 19th century, who is credited as the first modern director for his use of long rehearsals, attention to detail, and advocacy for historical accuracy that influenced Stanislavsky. The document also outlines the various responsibilities of the director, such as script analysis, structural analysis, production concept, casting, blocking during rehearsals, and synthesizing the work of other artists into a unified theatrical production.

1. Chapter 8Chapter 8
The Art of DirectingThe Art of Directing

2. The Birth of DirectorsThe Birth of Directors
 The word director comes from the Greek
didaskalos, or teacher.
 The playwright or lead actor as director.
 The actor-manager of the 19th
century.

3. The Birth of DirectorsThe Birth of Directors
George II, the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1826-1914)George II, the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1826-1914)
• Credited as first modern director.Credited as first modern director.
• His wealth allowed him to construct his own theatreHis wealth allowed him to construct his own theatre
and organize a resident company of actors and artists.and organize a resident company of actors and artists.
• Long rehearsal periods and attention to detail in acting.Long rehearsal periods and attention to detail in acting.
• Advocated historical accuracy.Advocated historical accuracy.
• Stanislavsky was so impressed that he used many ofStanislavsky was so impressed that he used many of
the Duke’s techniques with the Moscow Art Theatre.the Duke’s techniques with the Moscow Art Theatre.

4. Before Rehearsals BeginBefore Rehearsals Begin
Script analysis
 Works with the playwright (if available).Works with the playwright (if available).
 Spends countless hours rereading the script.Spends countless hours rereading the script.
 Combing newspaper archives, and researching theCombing newspaper archives, and researching the
history and criticism of the play.history and criticism of the play.
 Might work with a Dramaturg, who assists the Director in
researching and thinking about the play, the playwright,
the audience, and questions of style.

5. Before Rehearsals BeginBefore Rehearsals Begin
Structural AnalysisStructural Analysis
ThemeTheme
CharactersCharacters
LanguageLanguage
PlotPlot
French scenes
Beats
Michael Brosilow/The Goodman Theatre

6. Realizing the Production ConceptRealizing the Production Concept
 Production Concept
 The primary metaphor,
symbol, or concept that is
essential to the production
of this play
 Production meetings serve
to bring the production
team a central point in the
collaborative process
©P.Switzer

7. Casting the Right ActorsCasting the Right Actors
Casting
Cast to type
Cast against type
Gender-neutral
casting
Cross-gender
casting
Color-blind casting
JoanMarcus

8. The Director’s Role During RehearsalsThe Director’s Role During Rehearsals
Blocking
Shared focusShared focus
ProfileProfile
Stealing focusStealing focus
Stage areasStage areas
TriangulationTriangulation AP Photo/Jerome Delay

9. The Director’s Role DuringThe Director’s Role During
RehearsalsRehearsals
PicturizationPicturization
©2013CengageLearning

10. The Director’s Role During RehearsalsThe Director’s Role During Rehearsals
Notice how every seated actors’ focus isNotice how every seated actors’ focus is
on the actor standing. The director ison the actor standing. The director is
utilizing level, gaze and contrast to drawutilizing level, gaze and contrast to draw
the audience’s eye.the audience’s eye.
UniversityofWyomingArchives

11. The Director’s Role During RehearsalsThe Director’s Role During Rehearsals
Can you see how the director is usingCan you see how the director is using
triangulation with the blocking?triangulation with the blocking?
UniversityofWyomingArchives

12. Types of DirectorsTypes of Directors
Interpretive
directors attempt to
translate the play
from the page to
the stage as
accurately as
possible.
Michael Brasilow/The Goodman Theatre

13. Types of DirectorsTypes of Directors
Creative DirectorsCreative Directors
create “conceptcreate “concept
productions” basedproductions” based
on their unique ideason their unique ideas
or interpretations ofor interpretations of
a play script.a play script.
KrystaFicca/MickiPanttaja

14. Contemporary TrendsContemporary Trends
Directors, designers and actors work withDirectors, designers and actors work with
playwrights in the development of a play from itsplaywrights in the development of a play from its
very conception.very conception.
RichardFeldman

15. Curtain CallCurtain Call
The Director:
• Takes his/her artistic vision and turns the printed scriptTakes his/her artistic vision and turns the printed script
into a production.into a production.
• Coordinates dozens of theatre artists, technicians, andCoordinates dozens of theatre artists, technicians, and
other personnel to work toward that vision.other personnel to work toward that vision.
• Represents the audience by deciding exactly what theRepresents the audience by deciding exactly what the
audience will see.audience will see.
• Synthesizes the work of the playwright, the designers,Synthesizes the work of the playwright, the designers,
and the performers into a unique theatrical event.and the performers into a unique theatrical event.