Professional Documents
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General Info
General Info
• Conceptualization: Developing a clear vision and concept for the play, which guides
all creative decisions, including casting, set design, costumes, and overall tone.
• Character Development: Working closely with actors to help them understand and
develop their characters, including motivations, emotions, and relationships.
• Collaboration: Working closely with the design team, such as set designers, costume
designers, and lighting designers, to bring the directorial vision to life.
• Emotional Arc: Shaping the emotional journey of the play, ensuring that the
audience is taken on a compelling and resonant experience.
- [ ] Street Theatre:
Street theatre, also known as “theatre en rue,” is a form of performance that takes place in public
spaces, such as streets, parks, plazas, or outdoor venues, rather than traditional theatre spaces. It
often involves performers interacting with the audience and may incorporate elements of physical
theatre, comedy, music, dance, and spectacle. Street theatre is known for its accessibility and ability
to engage with diverse audiences who may not attend conventional theatre performances.
Performances can be impromptu or scripted, and they can tackle a wide range of themes and styles.
- [ ] Commedia dell’arte:
Commedia dell’arte is a form of Italian improvised theatre that emerged in the 16th century. It
involves stock characters, masked performers, and a basic plot outline that provides a framework for
improvisation. The characters are often archetypal figures, such as Harlequin, Pantalone, Columbina,
and others, each representing specific traits or behaviors. Performers use physicality, acrobatics, and
wit to create comedic and entertaining scenes. The style is characterized by slapstick humor,
wordplay, and playful interactions with the audience.
- [ ] Key aspects
• Script Selection: Choose a play that resonates with you and aligns with your artistic
vision as a director.
• Research and Analysis: Thoroughly understand the script, its historical context,
themes, characters, and the playwright’s intentions.
• Directorial Concept: Develop a clear and coherent vision for the production that
informs all aspects of the play, from casting to design.
• Casting: Carefully select actors who can bring the characters to life and work well
together as an ensemble.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with the design team and other crew members
to ensure a unified and cohesive production.
• Budgeting and Resources: Manage available resources, including budget, time, and
space, effectively.
• Technical Elements: Understand the basics of lighting, sound, set design, and other
technical aspects to enhance the overall production.
• Communication: Maintain clear and open communication with the cast and crew,
fostering a positive and productive working environment.
• Directorial Style: Find and develop your own directorial style, embracing your
strengths and artistic inclinations.
- [ ] Directorial styles
1. Naturalism/Realism: Directors adopting this style strive for authenticity and believability in
performances, settings, and character portrayals. The focus is on depicting everyday life and
emotions realistically.
3. Absurdism: This style, associated with the Theatre of the Absurd, explores the futility
of human existence and the breakdown of communication. Directors often incorporate illogical and
nonsensical elements to challenge conventional storytelling.
7. Physical Theatre: Physical theatre directors focus on movement, gesture, and body
language as primary storytelling tools. They often incorporate dance, mime, and other non-verbal
forms of expression.
11. Devised Theatre: Directors in devised theatre collaborate closely with the ensemble
to create a production from scratch, often without a pre-existing script. The process involves
collective creation and improvisation.
Plays suggestion:
- [ ] “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Simon Stephens, based on the novel by
Mark Haddon - A unique and emotionally resonant story about a young boy with autism trying to
solve a mystery.
- [ ] “Rumors” by Neil Simon - A fast-paced farce full of mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and
comedic chaos at a dinner party.
- [ ] “The Shape of Things” by Neil LaBute - A contemporary drama that delves into themes of art,
manipulation, and the complexity of relationships.
- [ ] “Ubu Roi” by Alfred Jarry - A satirical and grotesque play that mocks power and authority,
providing ample opportunities for over-the-top performances and wild interpretations.
- [ ] “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” by Tom Stoppard - A witty and existential play that
follows two minor characters from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” allowing for creative and surreal
reinterpretations.
- [ ] “The 39 Steps” adapted by Patrick Barlow - A fast-paced and comedic adaptation of the
Hitchcock film, which lends itself well to creative staging and physical comedy.
- [ ] “The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldoni - A classic commedia dell’arte play that
encourages improvisation and audience interaction, making it perfect for street theatre.
- [ ] “The Flick” by Annie Baker - A slice-of-life play set in a movie theater, exploring the lives of its
employees and their relationships. The mundane setting can be transformed into something quirky
and offbeat.
- [ ] “Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play” by Anne Washburn - This play imagines a post-apocalyptic world
where survivors retell episodes of “The Simpsons” as a form of cultural mythology, allowing for
playful and imaginative reinterpretations.
- [ ] “The Nether” by Jennifer Haley - A thought-provoking play exploring virtual reality and morality,
with room for creative use of technology in the staging.