Job Description for a Theater Director
A theater director is quite literally the omniscient "man behind the curtain." Of course, theater directors are both men and women but must be men and women up to the task. A theater director has the first and final say on all decisions relating to a theater or theater company.
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Budgeting
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A theater director's first job is to make the best of what's available. To take a budget and stretch and bend it to cover the costs of not just production but practicalities. Theaters, after all, still pay rent and utilities. After the necessities, a director then must choose how much money will go to actors, stage hands, writers, props, costuming, musicians, marketing, et al.
Preperation
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A theater director decides what entertainment a theater will produce. After picking a play, a musical, a variety show, etc., based on their preferences, the targeted market and the qualities of the theater, the director will then have to choose all those who will be involved. This includes writers, actors and everyone else behind the scenes, such as make up and grips. A theater director must schedule, be present for, and make the decisions in auditions, writers' meetings and the like.
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Preproduction
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A theater director is also the creative engine of the theater. Once preliminary decisions, are made a theater director will begin preproduction, the prep work of the actual entertainment to be produced. This means the director must be present for rehearsals and in the room for rewrites. A theater director must also make quick decisions that will define the show, having final say on sets, props, lighting and all else involved.
Production
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A theater director is not just the director of a theater, but the director of that theater's production. This means the theater director must guide their performers through their performances, motion on stage, the orchestra on cues, the stage hands on transitions and all other artistic matters involved in the execution of the chosen work.
Qualities
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Because of the highly involved nature of a theater director's job, the best director would possess many qualitites. He or she would be good with people, with numbers, have an eye for talent, have a strong imagination, good marketing sense, an eye for a good story and a passion for design. They would also be a good leader and strong in their decisions. A theater director is ultimately responsible for their own success as everything involved in the theater reflects on them. This makes being a theater director a job of great responsibility but potentially great praise.
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References
- Photo Credit Theater image by Alexander Tarasov from Fotolia.com
