Wow, I want to hear how this all turned out.  I hope we hear the wrap-up story.

I had a similar director in college, he would ridicule, insult and berate you.  His logic was if you were mad enough at him you would do a better job.  Pretty twisted logic.  He almost slugged me because I wouldn't play his game and only returned his insults with smiles and thank yous, drove him absolutely crazy!  I don't wish that treatment on any theatre person.  It's awful for moral and leaves such a bad taste in your mouth for that production.

I hope it all turned out okay.

Nice.  Does this idiot director realize that paid or not, to make this theatre function, he needs to KEEP HIS CUSTOMERS, that means not just audience members, but also make this actors like their experience so much they don't go to another company.

Directors with large egos and/or control issues can be as the Klingons once described Captain Kirk:  a tin-plated, overbearing, swaggering
dictator with delusions of Godhood.

As for directors who berate actors...

Some directors believe very strongly that in order for an actor to construct a believable performance that it is the director's job to "break the person down", to eliminate (as much as possible) the actor's own foibles and personality so that only the character's behaviours will show thru.

I worked for such a director once.  I doubt I would willingly do it again.  It wasn't much fun.  (On the other hand, the show turned out tremendously well.)  My opinion is that this director could have gotten the same great performances from his actors with far less emotional badgering than he used.

Yes, I'm all for the Producer to be there to represent the interests, wishes, policies, and procedures of the CT's board.  Or Production Manager.  Or Production Supervisor.  Or whatever you want to call the person.  Someone who, if need be, can privately but firmly remind the director (and the stage manager) of what the CT finds acceptable and what it doesn't.

The usual trio in charge of any production are:  the producer (executive), the director (artistic), and the stage manager (logistical or operational).  Any member of the cast or the production team or the crew should be able to speak with at least one of this trio about concerns with the production or the rehearsals.  Any such conversation must be done privately on a one-to-one basis, with the knowledge that he or she will be fully listened to (even if not acted upon), and that he or she will be safe from retribution or humiliation.

After all, we're all doing this for enjoyment, aren't we?  An abusive director isn't really helping achieve enjoyment for the participants.

The trouble with "keeping it to yourself" about an abusive director is, if no one on the CT board knows about the problem, this director may be engaged again for a future production, which probably isn't a good thing.

I just read this.  Sorry I didn't see this earlier.  I am a professional director and work in the US and Canada.  (I also love to work with community theatre as well). I have decades of experience in theatre. You must let the powers that be know about this.  Not just you but the cast.  Never have this person back!  Feel free to show the following to your board: