"Letting go of the reins" by Director's Desk

Letting go of the reins

Blog: Director's Desk

May 27, 2010

So there's a couple schools of thought on when the job of the director ends. I was mentored by an awesome director in grad school and he taught me that once a show opens, it belongs to the actors and the crew. They've put all the hours in and now it belongs to them. If I haven't done my job by that time as a director, then I haven't done my job. I tend to work on that level because, man, could that guy put on an excellent show.

The other school of thought is that the director should continue to give notes after performances in order to keep the play on track and keep your actors growing. I was talking with a director friend of mine today and he mentioned that he does attend every performance of his shows for that very reason--not necessarily to give notes, but just to make sure the show stays on track.

Since I am (and know) directors who belong to these different points of view, I find that they are both valid. Actors, especially in community theater, invariably take their work very seriously but there can be times that "funnin'" around and inside jokes onstage do happen. As long as it doesn't affect the clarity of the play, I'm fine with that. However, the moment and actor begins mugging or playing too hard for the audience's attention so that they pull attention away from the story, I do think that's a good time for the director to have a word or two with the actors after the show.

I think there's a balance to be happily struck between these two. I still believe once the show is running it belongs to the actors and crew. However, I do think that the audience comes first and everyone who has spent their hard earned dollars on seeing your show should get to see the production as it was directed to be. So...I may add in a note or two tomorrow night...just to see how it goes.

Another picture for you! Drama at Briony Lodge!

The bad guys look on as Holmes announces that he knows the location of the scandalous photograph that Irene Adler has hidden.

From left to right: Sid Prince (Jacob Scott), Madge (Cecile Reyna), Professor Moriarty (Nicole Villacres), James Larrabee (Tyson Ward), Irene Adler (Ivy Delaney) and Sherlock Holmes (Cameron Sherman).

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Cynthia 1 year, 12 months ago

Letting go of the reins

If I was a professional Director with professional actors, I'd be happy to entrust my vision to a stage manager calling the show from the booth, who would have the authority to remind actors when they have wandered off the script, or out of blocking. In most community theatre, your stage manager is backstage, and your actors are not professional and might be even more inclined to get bored and try to put a different spin on things once the run is underway. This is why I'm always there - in the audience or the booth, watching - ready to encourage excellent performances and discoveries, and to put the kabosh on anything that pulls the show off track. Actors can't watch the whole show and don't realize how something they change can change the look and feel of the thing as a whole. If I've put a good show together, I never tire of watching it each night.

Enesvy 1 year, 12 months ago

Letting go of the reins

I totally wish I could watch this one every night. :) . I agree that professionals are trained not to go off-script and, actually, I've found that most folks in community theater understand that as well. The cast will frequently come to me and actually ask permission to try something new and I never mind that. So I think it's good to keep tabs on what's going on as you've said--to make sure things don't go off track. I've found when I remind the actors about their obligation to each audience, they easily understand why I don't want any severe moves away from what we've rehearsed. But I still like to have a very light touch on what they do after the show opens.

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