Theatre Director Tips

The director in a play reigns all the way from the kick-off of the production to when the curtains finally close. Every action, prop or word you see on a theatre stage has been recommended directly or indirectly by the director. Therefore, as a theatre director, you have to be responsible about the following:

Ø  How your script was written

Ø  How your actors do their thing on stage

Ø  Whether stage lights are working properly and at the appointed time

Ø  Whether proper décor is on set

Ø  Whether proper soundtracks play during the production

Ø  That leading cues are given rightly etc

 In most cases, the director also happens to be the script writer. From the occasions I have observed good directors pay particular attention to the following three things:

1.      Scripting

Scripting needs to be as interesting as possible but at the same time easy to follow. The story line needs to be easy for both a 1 year and a 90-year person to grasp and follow. No audience wants to follow a complicated plot where there are too many conflicts involved. Again, throw in a dash of humor here and there to spice up the script. Even in real life, even the most serious people crack a joke to the mirth of others, don’t they?

Courtesy of Kenya Drama Festivals

2.      Production

Directing requires creativity. Props and décor ought to communicate clearly the setting of the play. You need to improvise but at the same time make the audience understand that which you wanted to convey. Since there are no realias (i.e no real objects used on stage), it is the role of the producer to think outside the box but at the same time not to bring too complicated props on stage. You need not scare people with real guns, real blood, real syringes or real school blackboards but how can you utilize backdrops, your actors and simple things on stage to bring out that setting you want to show?

A director needs to know that people like color and affluence. You might have the best script, the best actors but still fail to communicate clearly since you lack proper décor. The truth is that theatre is about money. Yes, I just said it. You got to spend and sacrifice. After all, are you not interested in emerging the winners and bagging the trophy home? Well, if you are, spend on stage décor.

3.      Acting Quality

Good directors relate well with actors. They motivate them with small gifts and praises. They also have actors learn acting from an early age. Great actors have been in the trade for quite some time. They are creative and can do multiple characters and still stand out as convincing as possible. Again, actors need to occasionally be shown video clips of real good stage plays so that they may try and up their game.

Courtesy of Kenya Drama Festivals

When actors own a production, they become committed and really enthusiastic about it. However, when you make them feel as though they are acting for you, you will have the most lousy team.

Language is crucial in acting. If you are to do an English verse/play, select actors who can articulate the language in the most comprehensive, fluent and audible way. Do not pick one who mixes all the ‘r’s and ‘l’s in the wrong places. They make the play boring and inauthentic. Why not choose a script that favours them instead?