The Art And Craft Of Play Directing

Stuart Vaughan is a major voice in modern American theatre. Founding Artistic Director of the New York Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Repertory Theatre New Orleans, The New Globe Theatre and Artistic Director of New York's Phoenix Theatre, he directed productions that received universal acclaim for nearly half a century. In this book he shares the workings of his craft, passing on invaluable advice and lessons learned to the next generation of theatre directors.

Theatre: Its Art and Craft is an introductory theatre text focusing on theatre practitioners and their processes. Using an accessible tone and a focused exploration of how theatre artists work, the book covers playwrights; directors, actors; designers of sets, costumes, props, lights, sound, and new technology; as well as the varying roles of scholars, critics, and dramaturgs. Appropriate for beginning theatre majors, minors, or nonmajors, Theatre: Its Art and Craft helps students understand how theatre happens, who makes it, and what they do. The sixth edition has been updated with new statistics, references, and photographs. It also features an extensively revised design section, which the authors have divided into two parts: one focused on the tactile elements of design (sets, costumes, props) and the second on the temporal elements (lights, sound, and new technologies).

Exercises and Suggested Reading -- CHAPTER 5 Auditions and Casting -- The Monologue Audition -- The Cold Read -- The Prepared Audition -- The Specialized Audition -- The Callback -- Prior to Auditions -- During Auditions -- Post-Auditions -- Eliminate the Non-Starters -- Decide on the Definites -- Explore the Possibilities -- Make the Cuts -- Exercises and Suggested Reading -- CHAPTER 6 Technology and Social Media -- Production Organization -- Communication and Contact -- Promotions and Marketing -- Exercises and Suggested Reading -- PART III PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION.

Theatre is an interpretive art based upon a director's emotional reaction to reading a play and imagining a production of that play. Before the audience experiences the production, the director must go through a process, part art and part craft, to create it. This book is intended to introduce undergraduate students with a solid theatre background to that process. Stevens includes chapters covering theatre and art, the interpretation of the script, composition and movement, working with actors, and matters of style. Each chapter contains exercises in order for students to consolidate what they have learned. The complete text of John Millington Synge's "Riders to the Sea" is included as an example and study text, and Stevens relates many examples from his own rich directing background. Twenty production photos, two sample floor plans, and numerous diagrams round out the text. The study of directing is a life-long project, and in this book Stevens provides a basis for that study.

The Director’s Craft is a unique and completely indispensable step-by-step guide to directing for the stage. Written by one of the most adventurous and respected directors working today, this book will be an essential item in every student and practitioner’s kitbag. It provides detailed assistance with each aspect of the varied challenges facing all theatre directors, and does so with startling clarity. It will inspire everyone, from the beginner just starting out to the experienced practitioner looking to reinvigorate their practice. Katie Mitchell shares and explains the key practical tools she uses to approach her work with both actors, production teams, and the text itself. She addresses topics such as: the ideas that underpin a play’s text preparing improvizations Twelve Golden Rules for working with actors managing the transition from rehearsal room to theatre analyzing your work after a run has ended. Each chapter concludes with a summary of its critical points, making this an ideal reference work for both directors and actors at any stage of their development.

"An introductory theatre text focusing on theatre practitioners and their processes. Using an accessible tone and a focused exploration of how theatre artists work, the book covers playwrights; directors; actors; designers of sets; costumes, and props; and lights, sounds, and technology; as well as the varying roles of scholars, critics, and dramaturgs." - Back cover.

The Director’s Craft is a unique and completely indispensable step-by-step guide to directing for the stage. Written by one of the most adventurous and respected directors working today, this book will be an essential item in every student and practitioner’s kitbag. It provides detailed assistance with each aspect of the varied challenges facing all theatre directors, and does so with startling clarity. It will inspire everyone, from the beginner just starting out to the experienced practitioner looking to reinvigorate their practice. Katie Mitchell shares and explains the key practical tools she uses to approach her work with both actors, production teams, and the text itself. She addresses topics such as: the ideas that underpin a play’s text preparing improvizations Twelve Golden Rules for working with actors managing the transition from rehearsal room to theatre analyzing your work after a run has ended. Each chapter concludes with a summary of its critical points, making this an ideal reference work for both directors and actors at any stage of their development.