Stage direction is one of the most crucial elements in bringing a play to life. Mastering its subtleties is what separates an engaging, believable production from an awkward, unrealistic one. This article, designed for the beginning director (or one who needs a refresher), covers all the basics, and includes diagrams, photos, and links to helpful apps and training sources.
It's a common superstition among actors, directors, and stagehands to avoid saying aloud the name Macbeth while in the theatre itself, under the belief that to do so will bring bad luck and/or curse the production. To avoid it, most theatre people refer to the Shakespearean tragedy as "The Scottish Play."
According to folklore, Macbeth was cursed from the beginning. It was widely believed that a coven of witches objected to Shakespeare using real incantations in the script, so they put a curse on the play.
Since rights, royalties and contracts are legal issues, it's important to understand the terminology that explains and governs your options. As with most contractual matters, ignorance is no defense, so here's an annotated list of important terms you need to know.
Although written from a British perspective, "A Guide to Musical Direction in the Amateur Theatre" applies to American community theatre, as well, providing an inclusive nuts-and-bolts look at the job of the musical director.