Things You'll Need:
- A Play
-
Step 1
First things first; read the play. Now read the play again. Now read the play again. Continue until you feel like your eyes might fall out or you fall asleep on top of said play. Directors need an intense and unfailing understanding of the play they're working on. They are leading the actors; they are the ones with the vision, and actors trust them implicitly.
-
Step 2
After reading the play six zillion times (or until you feel confident reciting most of the lines from memory), sit down with a pad and pencil and write down all of the pictures you see in your head. Is the lead standing in a spotlight during the final monologue or curled up in the fetal position somewhere on stage right? Do the extras all walk in one at a time during the crowd scene or would you rather have them mob onstage all at once? Make sure you have specific and realistic visions for the most important moments in the play; you can then use the rest of the scenes and dialog as building blocks towards those moments.
-
Step 3
As the actors get on their feet, you will see them trying to change your vision. Sometimes it's brilliant, sometimes it's not; the important thing is not to let it distract from the story you're telling. Just because a brilliant actor can do terrific dramatic monologues doesn't mean that the funny bits should be suddenly sad. Find the pieces of brilliance that support the story you're telling; those are the things that should stay. Throw everything else away.
-
Step 4
Remain positive. You are the cheerleader, the light at the end of the tunnel, the one person everyone looks to for guidance and strength. Of course you will have your doubts; everyone does. But as long as you maintain a positive outlook and keep a smile on your face, everyone else will rally around you and the show will be the best it can be.
