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Career profile
Theatre Director
Theatre Directors take ultimate responsibility for the overall creative and practical
interpretation of a text or musical score, whilst maintaining a clear understanding of
the physical and budgetary constraints of production. They work closely with
Producers, Performers, the Creative Team (Set Designers, Costume Designers,
Lighting Designers, Musical Directors, Choreographers and/or Fight Directors) and
the Production Team (Production Managers, Stage Management and Technicians) to
create a performance which connects with the audience. They must be able to coordinate effectively across a wide variety of disciplines. Most Directors are
freelances, or they may be employed as Artistic Directors or Resident Directors in
repertory companies.
The work
Directors may be asked to direct a particular play, or given the opportunity to direct a
play of their own choice by theatre management. Alternatively, they may want to
direct a particular play and approach theatre management with their ideas, or they
may form their own company and raise the finance in order to present this play.
Some Directors are also writers and may direct their own authored productions.
Before committing themselves to directing any production, they must be fully
conversant with the script. They may negotiate their own contracts, so they should
be aware of the Equity standard terms and rates; or they may employ Agents to deal
on their behalf.
In some cases the Director may be responsible for casting, and may have particular
Actors in mind, or they may work with a casting department. The casting process is
vitally important to the success of the production, and Directors attend all auditions,
interviews and recalls (except in the case of large scale productions – such as
musicals – when the Director may not participate in early auditions or in chorus
auditions). Theatre management may make final decisions about casting, taking into
consideration Directors’ choices.
Directors also collaborate with theatre
management to select the Set Designer, the Costume Designer and Lighting
Designer (and the Choreographer, Fight Director and/or Musical Director where
required). Directors must research all aspects of the play, including the author, the
period and its fashions, social history, reviews of past productions, etc. They attend
production meetings and collaborate with Designers about how to stage the
production, e.g., in modern dress, minimal sets, different lighting techniques, and to
discuss all aspects of budgeting, timescales, etc.
Ideally, the whole Creative Team attends the first day of rehearsals, to meet the
Actors, and to present their ideas. Initial rehearsal days may be relatively informal,
so that Directors can discuss any research material, and build effective working
relationships. During rehearsals, they may work on sections of the play, or they may
work through the whole play, mapping out movements, trying out various ideas and
styles, and managing the organic process of the play’s development. They may
block out the moves, or they may allow moves to develop naturally during rehearsals
or performances. Throughout the rehearsal period, Directors work through the script
with the Actors, revealing the underlying complexities of the script, and the
characters’ objectives in each scene, to build and develop the Actors’ performance.
Although this is a collaborative process, Directors may sometimes need to make
decisions, but they must also be prepared to change their minds, where necessary,
without undermining their own authority. During rehearsals Directors also liaise with
Stage Management about Actors’ call times for each day, and about schedules for
costume fittings, wardrobe calls, etc., and with the Management’s Publicity
Department about press interviews. They attend regular production meetings to
discuss progress on set design, costume, music, etc. Directors work closely with the
Deputy Stage Manager, who notes all relevant details in the “Book” – the marked up
Prompt Script used to cue all cast members and technicians during performances.
During the days immediately prior to the opening, the company moves from the
rehearsal room into the performance space (except on those rare occasions when
the performance space is available for all rehearsals) and rehearsals then involve all
components of the final performance (including the set, props, costumes, music,
sound, lighting) in technical and dress rehearsals, and Directors work with the
Creative Team and Production Team to make final decisions about the production.
Directors attend the preview performances, and the Press night, and if necessary
prepare detailed notes for the cast, Creative Team and Production Team, and attend
further rehearsals on the subsequent day. They assess audience reactions, and may
make adjustments accordingly. Once plays are in performance, Directors hand over
the play to the cast and Stage Management team, although they continue to attend
performances whenever possible. Directors bring their own individual styles to each
production and work carefully, sensitively and diplomatically with the cast and the
Creative Team to construct the performance.
Typical career routes
Directors may have attended recognised Directing courses, or they may start their
careers as Actors, Writers. Designers, Stage Management and Producers. They may
work across all genres of theatre, or they may specialise in specific areas, e.g.,
musicals, pantomime, comedy. They may also work as Actor/Directors,
Author/Directors, or teach drama on recognised college courses.
Essential knowledge and skills
The ability to receive, understand and respond to written and musical texts is
important to all those involved in the creative production process. Directors must be
patient, sensitive and diplomatic in order to build Actors’ confidence, and to draw out
their performance. They must be able to negotiate their requirements, working
closely with other members of the Creative Team, and taking budgetary and
administrative requirements into consideration. They must have a wide interest in
people and in society and its physical environments, as well as the expression of this
in all the arts, in both historical and contemporary contexts. They should have
knowledge of, and interest in, theatre history.
Although work in theatre demands strong commitment from each individual, it is a
collaborative art, and Directors must be able to work effectively with all members of
the Creative and Production Teams. They must also be able to work with a variety of
technicians, production staff and performers. They need a keen awareness of
historical periods, character and motivation, as well as of performers’ needs. They
must be able to conduct thorough, productive research, and to direct the purpose of
such research. They also need effective time management skills, in order to work
within budget, and to tight deadlines. They need self-belief and determination to
succeed. They must be effective decision makers and excellent communicators.
Key Skills include:
• Visual and creative abilities
• Research skills
• Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills
• Self motivation
• Ability to motivate others
• Team working skills
• An awareness of the etiquette and traditions of working in the theatre
• Practical and creative problem solving and organisational skills
• Knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation
and procedures
Training and qualifications
Directors may undertake full-time three year BA degree courses in Theatre Directing
run by recognised colleges, or post graduate Directing courses, such as those run by
Birkbeck College (the course was set up with help from Equity’s theatre directors’
committee www.bbk.ac.uk), RADA, Mountview, etc., after completing a relevant Arts
degree, or with at least three years’ relevant professional experience in theatre.
Where to go for more information
¾ CC Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the Creative and Cultural Industries.
For information about training and professional qualifications, visit their
careers website www.creative-choices.co.uk
¾ Equity is the trade union representing artists across the whole spectrum of
arts and entertainment, and offers representation, specialist knowledge and
advice for its members and student members on work in Theatre and other
Live Performance. T: 020 7379 6000. www.equity.org.uk
¾ The Conference of Drama Schools www.drama.ac.uk
¾ National Council for Drama Training www.ncdt.co.uk
¾ Directors Guild of Great Britain. www.dggb.co.uk
¾ The Stage newspaper is the entertainment trade weekly. Recruitment
advertisements, useful links, and ‘how to guides’, such as finding an agent or
drama school, are on its website www.thestage.co.uk
¾ Contacts is published annually by The Spotlight, and provides details of all
aspects of the entertainment industry. www.spotlight.com