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The work of the director is central to the production of a play, since it is the director who sets the vision for the production for everyone involved.

The director has the challenging task of bringing together the many complex pieces of a production—the script, actors, set, costuming, lighting and sound and music—into a unified whole. To accomplish this task, a director needs to:

• Interpret the script
• Cast the production
• Collaborate with designers
• Plan the rehearsals
• Guide the actors in their work during rehearsals.

The director’s work is most often based on a detailed study and analysis of the script to be produced. Many careful readings of the script help the director develop an individual vision of the playwright’s intentions, which will form the core of his or her interpretation. This sense of “what the play is really about” will shape a director’s thinking about every other aspect of the production.

Directors also study the characters in the script, gathering as much information as they can about their physical and psychological traits. This is vital preparation for casting, when the actors who are best able to bring the characters to life in performance need to be chosen.
 

Collaboration is Key

The director’s initial meetings with the production manager, assistand director (see below), costume designer, set designer and lighting designer typify the creative collaboration vital to theatre. Any notes the director has made on the technical needs in the script are shared with the designers. The free flow of ideas that takes place here will further refine the director’s vision of the production as a whole.

Details in the script about the specific locale(s) in which the action takes place need to be attended to early in the production process, because they will determine both the basic requirements of the set and the possible movement of the actors on stage. Acting areas, entrances and exits, and furniture and props called for in the script or desired by the director will need to be a part of the set design.

The floor plan can then be sketched out. The floor plan is a basic outline drawing of the stage setting as it would look from above. It is an essential rehearsal planning tool because it allows a director to work out the blocking of the play. Blocking (or staging) is the precise moment-by-moment movement and grouping of actors on stage.

The director’s creative collaboration continues during their work with the actors in rehearsals--often with the help ofo an assistant director. The actors will bring their own interpretations to the project and perhaps inspire the director to rethink his or her interpretation. They will work closely together to breathe life into the lines and develop a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations and relationships, fleshing out the subtext of the play. Later the focus of the director’s work in rehearsals will broaden to the overall look and feel of the whole production as transitions between scenes are smoothed out, effective pacing is achieved and all the design and technical aspects of the production are integrated.

Once the show opens, the director's work is essentially complete. Now it's the job of the stage manager (sometimes with the help of an assistant director) to make sure that every aspect of the production runs just as the director intended, time after time, until the production closes.

Assistant Director

An assistant stage director (AD) is a vital, flexible support role to the main director during a theatre production, focusing on facilitating the rehearsal process, supporting the director's artistic vision, and handling various administrative and creative tasks. Responsibilities include taking notes during rehearsals, running parts of rehearsals in the director's absence, coordinating with other departments, and serving as a liaison between the director, cast, and crew. 

During the Rehearsal Period, the AD can:

• Facilitate Rehearsals - Assist with setting up the rehearsal space, organizing props and furniture, and running the space to ensure the smooth flow of rehearsals
• Take Notes - Record blocking (actor movements), line notes, technical cues, and other important details during rehearsals for the director to review later. 
• Rehearse for Actors - Step in to read lines or run scenes for actors who are absent, helping to keep the rehearsal process on schedule. Also, prepare and rehearse any understudy cast members to ensure they are ready to perform when needed.
• Provide Creative Support- Offer creative input and support, and can be tasked with preparing special rehearsals or helping with actor warm-ups. 
• Handle Administrative Tasks - Help with administrative duties like scheduling, organizing paperwork, and communicating between the director and other departments.

During the Performance Period, the AD can provide:

• Logistical Support: Help with backstage operations and quick costume changes.
• Communication Support - Serve as a liaison between the Stage Manager, actors, and other crew members, relaying information and cues as needed. 
• Production Oversight- Keep an eye on the overall production and be ready to provide assistance if any issues arise during a performance.

Key Skills

An effective AD must have strong communication skills to liaise with various departments and the director. The role is highly flexible, with responsibilities changing based on the specific needs of the director and production. The AD must be proactive, with the ability to take the initiative and anticipate the director's needs. 
 

>> Further Reading

• Introduction to Stage Direction (a sample article from the AACT-member Resource Library. See below for more information.)
• Carver's Manual on Community Theatre Directing: A Step-By-Step Approach, by veteran director James Carver (Amazon)