A Director Prepares.

So the next show I'm directing starts rehearsing in June. I've technically already started my process because I've been reading scripts and deciding which ones I would like to do. I think I've settled on a night of 4 different shorts. Now is the time to focus on the plays and start breaking them down. I have one little step though that I like to do when I have a bit of time before rehearsals start.

The semester I interned at Intiman in Seattle, I had the pleasure of working under BJ Jones. He's the Artistic Director of Northlight Theater outside of Chicago. As an opening night present, he gave me a copy of Anne Bogart's book A Director Prepares. Every time I start to work on a show (and if I have the time) I like to sit down a re-read it. It reminds me that as an artist, my role is to ask questions of society. It reminds me that as a director, my role is to ask questions of my designers and actors. As a human being, my role is to as questions of myself.

This book keeps me hungry for the work ahead and reminds me that the act of creating is a violent act. Killing ideas that you once held so close in favor of something deeper or more specific. You indeed have to go all Medea and "kill your babies" as an acting teacher once told me.

Do you "dare to suck" in your art?

It's over...

Anytime a director closes a show I think there is a bit of remorse. A mourning of sorts.

I'm the type to throw myself into another project and distance myself from what I was working on so it isn't as hard for me. I've been more distant from the show, saying "my job is done, the show isn't mine anymore", which is true. It's not mine anymore, the stage manager is in charge, they are supposed to run the show.

They still looked to me for guidance during the strike today, which made me a little sentimental. I really enjoyed working with all of them and appreciate the journey they went on to put this show on it's feet.

One world premiere done. Stage management up next. I've also been asked to direct a staged reading in the next two weeks, which I'm trying to make myself focus enough to sit down and read (it's not working very well at this moment). Then a nice long break before the next show. Now will I actually stick to my break schedule? Maybe, but we'll see...

A Director on Directing.

So a colleague of mine made a comment to me about something he had heard from another director in town. I'm going to quote directly...

"He told me that if you really want to be a "known" director in
this area you have to direct musicals as well as strait plays and comedies.
Do you agree?"


Nope. I don't. Not at all. Elia Kazan didn't direct musicals so I don't have to. ;P

Just kidding, but I do believe that you don't have to direct musicals to be known as a director. I do think Baltimore is more of a musical town, meaning that they are very popular here. There is a very different skill set that is needed to direct a musical as opposed to a straight play. I direct only straight plays. Why? A couple of reasons:

1. I have a vile taste in my mouth when it comes to musicals. I can't sing as much as try sometimes and so therefore am bitter... Not really, but there are very few that I really enjoy. They just aren't my thing.

2. I think that straight plays hit the meat of the story more than musicals. Music can be distracting from the actual message of the play, people can lose themselves in the music instead of the issue. There are exceptions to this rule (think Sam Mendes' version of Cabaret), but in general I think straight plays deal with issues more straight on.

Not to knock musicals, but they just aren't my thing. Luckily Baltimore is small enough and if you're good enough, you won't have a problem working.

So I'm curious... Which do you prefer, musicals or straight plays? Why?