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DIRECTOR Guide and Role Description

If you want to put forward something for us to do, please also readhow we choose plays, (Play Reading and Auditions Guide). There are plenty of ways to set up a directing team. On a smaller show you might just have one director in charge of the whole project. For larger shows, or if you don't have much experience, you could consider directing in a team with an Assistant Director, or separating the role of director (working with the actors) and producer (organising the costumes, props, admin etc.).

In general, a show typically has the following phases in rehearsal. However, every director has their own style. Depending on the play they may want to do workshops on particular skills, or split rehearsals up by character. There is no single solution.

  • Auditions
  • Read through (for timing)
  • Blocking (giving the actors their moves)
  • Polishing (re-running scenes you've already blocked)
  • Choreography Rehearsals (if there's dance or a fight)
  • Runs (doing whole acts or the whole show through)
  • Technical Rehearsal (to sort out issues with sound, lighting, working props etc.)
  • Dress Rehearsal (with costume, lights etc.)

A few useful tips and pointers:

  • Wymondham Players have a number of experienced directors who can offer help and/or mentoring – contact the Committee if you are interested.
  • Plan well in advance for as much as you can. You will get much more done in rehearsals if you know clearly what you want to achieve when you walk into the rehearsal room. Tell the cast what your aims are, or they will find it hard to help achieve them!
  • Actors need both positive and negative feedback - and everyone likes praise (remember - for many of us this is supposed to be a fun hobby!). But different actors each need a different balance. See if you can find out from each actor early on what works best for them.
  • Lay down some ground rules for actors at the beginning of the rehearsal process (e.g. on lateness, how you want feedback, silence when others are performing) - don't assume everyone already knows the rehearsal room rules.
  • Try to be consistent in what you are asking from the actors and make your expectations clear from the start, especially if working in a team of directors.
  • Technical matters - planning is particularly important here. Talk regularly with your technical/sound/lighting people and be prepared to take their advice if they are experienced. The clearer you can make your vision to them, the easier for them to come up with a solution that works for you. Make sure your rehearsal schedule includes enough time to get all the technical elements ready. Get actors to help.
  • When using the Central Hall for rehearsals and performances,DO NOTuse equipment belonging the playgroup or other users of the hall. Not everything belongs to the Wymondham Players.
  • Contact the committee asap for help if needed.

Role Description

  • Select a play and present to committee for approval.

-consider French’s catalogue; visit the library – playsets held

-bear in mind cast likely to be available

-consider what would be acceptable to local audience

  • Confirm performance budget, and Performance Venue bookings with Committee.
  • Obtain scripts and performance license, the committee can assist with the purchasing of scripts.
  • Set audition dates and book venue; Liaise with the Secretary to circulate play summary, cast list and audition information.
  • Cast (and obtain immediate n/a dates for read through)

-pass Audition Sheet to all attending during the auditions

-potential cast members must be made aware that photographs will be taken of the production, and of all performance dates/times.

-inform all those who attended whether or not they have a part

  • Liaise with committee to appoint a producer.
  • Liaise with Producer to agree read through date/venue, and subsequently, rehearsal schedule and venue/s, consider cast n/a dates and locales.
  • Inform cast and Producer of all rehearsal dates/venues, and books down date.
  • Where the Director or Producer are not on the Committee, liaise with Production Co-ordinator of the Committee to ensure good communications and regular updates. This will include agreeing information for publicity via social media, press and posters etc.
  • Prepare set design and provide to Set Manager & Producer, consider what CAN be built – liaise with Set Manager.
  • Prepare sound and lighting plots & provide to S, L & P (incl. Special Effects), liaise with Sound/Light.
  • Prepare required props list & provide to Stage Manager & Producer;
  • Prepare list of costume requirements & provide to Wardrobe & Producer.
  • Provide “prompt” copy of script to Prompt, SM, Sound and Lights.
  • Run rehearsals.
  • Provide Director’s note for the programme.
  • At end of production – thank Producer, Set and Stage managers, Prompt, Sound, Lights, Wardrobe and FOH and stage crew.

Updated September 2015