THE DIRECTOR and the Producer
THE ROLE OF THE DIRECTOR with stage manager- rehearses the performers coordinates work of othersdesigners
ROLE OF THE PRODUCER oversees business aspects of the production manages the theatre/show/ personnel
THE DIRECTOR evolved from actor/company leader to an artistic position some argue German Duke of Saxe-Meiningen was first director- 19th century earlier examples include Greek playwright Aeschylus, Moliere unifies style, social behavior, view of society after the playwright- 1st to come in contact with the playthe vision- the spine
THE SPINE what is the play about?
THE SPINE Harold Clurman- the spine of the play- the general action that motivates the play the fundamental drama or conflict main action every character is seeking the same goal (from the director s or playwright s perspective) different directors can interpret different spines from the same play- i.e. Hamlet
AFTER THE SPINE- STYLE the director finds the manner or style for the production should make sense, not be a gimmick, but serve the play (playwright s work) realism vs. nonrealism realism includes: naturalism, heightened realism nonrealism includes: allegory, expressionism (and postmodernism- in many ways)
AFTER STYLE- THE CONCEPT the director develops a concept for the production- the directorial concept controlling idea vision point of view creates a unified theatrical experience for the spectators
A CENTRAL IMAGE A directorial concept might revolve around a central image a central or controlling image a metaphor it should serve the play serve the spirit of the play serve the meaning of the script
THE DRAMATURG the dramaturg, also known as literary manager researches the script, past productions, critiques, reviews, how the previous productions were received also researches how the play has been interpreted - productions and in criticism (scholarship)
DIRECTORS - TRAINING & STYLE come out of acting specialty training work well with people coordinate creativity, vision, egos some research and pre-plan all blocking others use organic approaches- in the moment with actors some - use combinations of both movement, pace, rhythm- (3rd eye- creates unity)
THE AUTEUR DIRECTOR french for author signifies a director who controls all aspects of the production and shapes/shifts/influences the script beyond the directorial concept Meyerhold Grotowski Richard Foreman Robert Wilson
KEY TERMS Spine of the play auteur director directorial concept blocking casting typecasting casting against type audition rehearsal technical rehearsals/tech week cue to cue dress rehearsal preview
THE PRODUCER manages the business raises money to finance the production secures the rights for the script deals with agents- playwright s, director s, performers hires the director, designers, performers, stage crew deals with theatrical unions rents the space supervises the work of running the theatre- box office, auditorium, business office supervises advertising oversees the budget & financial management
NON-PROFIT THEATRE executive director, managing director board of directors artistic director
KEY TERMS front of house box office nonprofit grants 501-C3 status for-profit unions contracts equity IATSE artists guild non-union house LORT B repertory
Review for Test #1
types of theatrical spaces- including Greek, Elizabethan, contemporary types stage directions differences between a critic and reviewer the role of the audience types of theatre (genre, who makes it- e.g. multicultural theatre, feminist theatre, documentary theatre, verbatim theatre, participatory theatre playwright- Bertolt Brecht- Mother Courage - elements of Brechtian style purpose/role of the director purpose/role of the producer types of directors key terms the archive vs repertoire, embodied practice (context- play The SongCatcher)