A theater director is an important part of any play, acting as the production’s supervisor and visionary. He or she must be a jack-of-all-trades who understands all aspects of production and can bring them together as a single entity. While no formal training is required to work as a theater director, the ability to communicate effectively, basic technical knowledge, and a visual sense of how objects work on stage are all essential.
Many theater directors have studied literature and drama in college. Some of the world’s most prestigious universities have departments dedicated to the education and training of directors. A dedicated theater director may hold degrees from undergraduate, graduate, and even doctoral programs. While education can be extremely beneficial to a theater director, it is not required and is best used in conjunction with other skills.
Although experts may disagree on a director’s primary qualifications, one of the most important abilities is the ability to communicate and motivate others. The director must work with the designers to determine the production’s look, sound, and feel in addition to rehearsing the actors. These designers may specialize in lighting, sound, set design, costumes, or makeup, depending on the show’s budget and the makeup of the theater company. A director must be able to communicate his or her plans and ideas to these experts while also allowing them creative freedom and encouraging them to propose new ideas. A theater director, like the captain of a rowing crew, must ensure that everyone is pulling in the same direction at the same time.
A theater director must have a basic understanding of the technical aspects of the theater in order to communicate effectively with their designers. A director can save everyone a lot of time and headache knowing what is possible on stage. Although it is impossible to be an expert in every aspect of the theater, aspiring directors should take a basic class in each to become acquainted with the tools and capabilities of the field.
Modern culture is much more centered on film than live theater, resulting in serious misunderstandings about how scenes and plays appear on stage. Because close-ups, zooms, and dramatic cuts aren’t possible, a theater director must be able to communicate subtextual information telling actors where to stand and how to move. The term “blocking” refers to an underappreciated aspect of the theater director’s job, but it is critical to any successful production. The audience will not care if your lead actress’s death scene is blocked a sofa and two extras. A good director will be able to visualize a scene and effectively place people, furniture, and props.
Vision may be the most important aspect of being a theater director. While creativity cannot be taught, talent can be reawakened and focused through rehearsals, scene work, and stage experience. Many great directors will begin their careers as bad directors, but will be able to learn from their mistakes and believe in their own visions. When a director is able to be both focused and open to suggestions, as well as clear and humble, she can truly produce great work.