No need to stay far away, I sincerely meant what I said about parting friends. I have deep respect for people who can express  their ideas and motives up front. Like I said, it saves a lot of headache. Nothing worse than somebody telling me what they think I want to hear and not meaning it. So please don't take offense, I can appreciate your honesty.

So, NDTENOR, if I'm understanding your remarks to Majicwrench correctly, if it should happen that you audition for a production of, let's say, "As You Like It" by William Shakespeare being directed by Majicwrench, you, by virtue of your "homework" will have been able to discover exactly how the play should be done because you will have determined to the nth degree exactly how Mr. Shakespeare would have wanted to direct and present that particular show; and any "homework" that Majicwrench will have done with the same end result in mind will be disregardable if it doesn't match up exactly with you have determined to be Shakespeare's "truth".

Well, that's just a load of bollocks, isn't it?

You might have a leg to stand on if you were working with something by G.B. Shaw or Arthur Miller, for example, because those guys wrote scads of detail into their stage directions.  And even with their works, all any director can do is interpret.  All "you" can do is interpret.  It's all anyone can do.  A good director will be searching for the "truth" of the production he/she is directing.  However, there is no one, except the author himself, who is qualified to judge whether or not that "truth" has been adequately represented.  But the director, by virtue of his position, "is" the final word on his interpretation of any production he directs.

Just another example on here of...............oh never mind. I'm sick of this. Whatever I say will most certainly be taken the wrong way....not that I intend that what I say will please anybody. It just amazes me how "smart" some people think they are....or are not.  Aw, fuhgedaboudit!! I give up.  Why bother anymore. Too bad - just callin' 'em as I see 'em.

Edited by TonyDi - 2/04/11 at 7:04am

A director should direct. Otherwise, what would be the point?

I view it as a collaboration. I as director have a vision that I am working toward.  But I also view the actor as an artist that draws from his own experiences. I feel it behoves  me to take advantage of that. Actors also need to interACT with other actors. I am there to guide and direct. Hopefully it is done with respect.