Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Directing and Acting in the Same Play.

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GoldCanyonLady
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Topic: Directing and Acting in the Same Play.
Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:50pm

We just saw a wonderful performance here in Arizona by an actor who also directed the play, Come Blow Your Horn. Isn't that difficult to do? How does one go about seeing how the action looks when you are in the middle of it?

Barb Hofmeister,
MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.

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Topper
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Posted: 1/15/07 at 2:21pm

A good friend of mine is an actor/director who does this sort of thing often. What he always does is hire an Assistant Director (usually a college student who is trying to break into directing). This AD is assigned to watch the Director ONLY while he's acting and give him notes as to blocking, line readings, etc. If the AD has notes for the OTHER actors, he/she is required to give them to the Director FIRST to see if he agrees or noticed something different. The Director will then give the AD's notes to the cast member.

This prevents actors from getting conflicting information and establishes the director as the head honcho of the piece.

During tech week, however, the Director's attention is split between performing and watching. So he will pre-set as much of the lighting and sound cues as possible and then hand over the reins to the AD who will be responsible for seeing the play comes together.

Needless to say, the fellow is very talented in both the acting and directing departments, so his confidence level is high. And it also helps that he happens to be one of the most laid-back, even-tempered individuals I've ever met. Working on his productions is always a pleasure.

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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Linda S
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Posted: 1/15/07 at 5:08pm

Some people are better at directing and acting in a show then others. I call it cooking from inside the pot. I have found myself in shows that I was directing twice, never by choice. I don't like it. I am not comfortable. I only did it because I had to, and I hope I never have to do it again.

I do have dear friend that is often in shows that he is directing. He calls me in to watch and take notes a couple of times during the rehearsal process, and he is always very good and relaxed. He is also " laid-back and even-tempered." I think those qualities are a must. He also works with an amazing stage manager. In the last show, he did have a monitor so he could watch the on stage action from backstage. I don't think it is for everyone. It is certainly not for me. I do admire those that can do it though.

Linda

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TimW
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Posted: 1/16/07 at 1:50am

I would agree with the general census. If you are a level headed person and have a good assistant or stage manager, it could work. I tech'd a show within the past year, and the director/lead actor didn't ask for much input. Unfortunately, I don't think it went as good as it could have. So to those that can succesfully do both, many kudos!

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 1/16/07 at 9:44am

It's happened to me three times - all for reasons of emergency; I have never cast myself LOL.

I hated it. I do have a good friend who is a director who helped me out - but, the truth is, when I'm acting, I NEED a good director, not just somebody to clean up the blocking LOL. So, my cast was shorted by me as director, and I shorted myself as an actor.

I hated it. It may happen again ... but I hope not.

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suzecue1
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Posted: 1/16/07 at 10:14am

Been there - done that - and I wouldn't suggest it. I am very organized, very much a multi-tasker - and thought it wouldn't be a problem. Point is, you just can't see the big picture of what is happening on stage when you are on the stage.

Over Christmas I co-directed (and produced) a Christmas show, with both of us in the show. We had just been in the show the Christmas before and knew it inside and out. We thought it would be a piece of cake because we had done it before! For the first month of rehearsals, I could sit out, call out my lines, block and give direction while watching. But later on, tech week rehearsals, when I needed to be on stage too, it was very hard. Another thing to remember...when you are in the wings, trying to stay in character, trying remember your next line, trying to remember what props you need, it doesn't help to have 20 other cast members asking you questions about what they need to have or where they need to be.

I did end up depending on a few other people to watch and take notes during tech week, which was very helpful, but it isn't the same. Someone else is not going to see the same things you would. BTW - the show ended up to be fabulous, but the frustration level was unbelievable up to that point. Maybe a smaller cast, non-musical would be doable. But I don't think I will be trying that again!

Sue
*****
So many hats.....so few heads!

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75director
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Posted: 1/16/07 at 2:41pm

I would echo the comments about directing and acting not being an ideal situation. I've had to be in a few of my own shows due to various reason and I really don't like it. It also requires the director to be twice as organized.

When I've had to do it, I always make sure I have a strong and experienced stage management team to give me input during the process. Usually I have someone who has worked with me before and knows my "style". Some people would have an assistant director for this sort of thing, which works too.

Not that I would ever set up a video camera in a theatre, but in theory I also tape run throughs during the process and every tech week rehearsal. I watch the tape after the rehearsal and give notes at the top of the next rehearsal. The actors never are allowed to see the tapes, which I tape over every night. Of course that's all hypothetical, cuz no one video tapes

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B-M-D
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Posted: 1/16/07 at 4:17pm

I'd have to agree with most everyone on this topic. Wouldn't do it unless I had no other choice. I don't have the patience or arrogance to think I could do both at the same time.

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard."

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NagarWSF
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Posted: 1/18/07 at 2:47pm

Yeah, I'd have to agree too. Not to mention that my ADD kicks in. I actually need to focus on the big picture at times. And when I am acting, I need to be able to focus on what I am doing, and what my scene partner is doing. That is why I stopped acting!

I was often finding myself thinking about everyone else's parts, and the stage picture, and the overall pacing, and the set and the lights, and etc. It seemed logical for me to direct, and it has been the best switch for me. Being able to work onthe big picture helps me see the details! May not make sense, but hey! So, no I would never cast myself or direct myself. It can be done, but not by me!

Sandy

Working Class Theatre Company
www.workingclasstheatre.org

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red diva
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Posted: 1/18/07 at 4:46pm

I agree with all those that are nay-sayers on this topic. The only time I did it was when two of my cast members had to "leave town" very "suddenly" when the local gendarmes were carrying on a rather extensive drug sweep in our town. This was the week before opening, and I had to step into one of the roles, and find a man to step into the other. I HATED it!!! Not only was I unable to enjoy watching the fruits of our labors, but I was unable to spend the last week "fine tuning" and tightening up the production.

I really feel that if you are going to be a good director, you need to be out in the house, watching what's happening on stage. If you are on stage, you can't see the pictures, the blocking, the ensemble.....etc., etc., etc.

But, that's just me!

"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Topic: Directing and Acting in the Same Play.( Topic Closed)

Author	Message
GoldCanyonLady Celebrity Joined: 2/05/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Topic: Directing and Acting in the Same Play. Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:50pm
	We just saw a wonderful performance here in Arizona by an actor who also directed the play, Come Blow Your Horn. Isn't that difficult to do? How does one go about seeing how the action looks when you are in the middle of it?
	Barb Hofmeister, MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.

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Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 1/15/07 at 2:21pm
	A good friend of mine is an actor/director who does this sort of thing often. What he always does is hire an Assistant Director (usually a college student who is trying to break into directing). This AD is assigned to watch the Director ONLY while he's acting and give him notes as to blocking, line readings, etc. If the AD has notes for the OTHER actors, he/she is required to give them to the Director FIRST to see if he agrees or noticed something different. The Director will then give the AD's notes to the cast member. This prevents actors from getting conflicting information and establishes the director as the head honcho of the piece. During tech week, however, the Director's attention is split between performing and watching. So he will pre-set as much of the lighting and sound cues as possible and then hand over the reins to the AD who will be responsible for seeing the play comes together. Needless to say, the fellow is very talented in both the acting and directing departments, so his confidence level is high. And it also helps that he happens to be one of the most laid-back, even-tempered individuals I've ever met. Working on his productions is always a pleasure.
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
	IP Logged

Linda S Celebrity Joined: 4/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 312	Posted: 1/15/07 at 5:08pm
	Some people are better at directing and acting in a show then others. I call it cooking from inside the pot. I have found myself in shows that I was directing twice, never by choice. I don't like it. I am not comfortable. I only did it because I had to, and I hope I never have to do it again. I do have dear friend that is often in shows that he is directing. He calls me in to watch and take notes a couple of times during the rehearsal process, and he is always very good and relaxed. He is also " laid-back and even-tempered." I think those qualities are a must. He also works with an amazing stage manager. In the last show, he did have a monitor so he could watch the on stage action from backstage. I don't think it is for everyone. It is certainly not for me. I do admire those that can do it though. Linda
	IP Logged

TimW Star Joined: 8/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 83	Posted: 1/16/07 at 1:50am
	I would agree with the general census. If you are a level headed person and have a good assistant or stage manager, it could work. I tech'd a show within the past year, and the director/lead actor didn't ask for much input. Unfortunately, I don't think it went as good as it could have. So to those that can succesfully do both, many kudos!
	IP Logged

tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 1/16/07 at 9:44am
	It's happened to me three times - all for reasons of emergency; I have never cast myself LOL. I hated it. I do have a good friend who is a director who helped me out - but, the truth is, when I'm acting, I NEED a good director, not just somebody to clean up the blocking LOL. So, my cast was shorted by me as director, and I shorted myself as an actor. I hated it. It may happen again ... but I hope not.
	IP Logged

suzecue1 Star Joined: 9/19/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 90	Posted: 1/16/07 at 10:14am
	Been there - done that - and I wouldn't suggest it. I am very organized, very much a multi-tasker - and thought it wouldn't be a problem. Point is, you just can't see the big picture of what is happening on stage when you are on the stage. Over Christmas I co-directed (and produced) a Christmas show, with both of us in the show. We had just been in the show the Christmas before and knew it inside and out. We thought it would be a piece of cake because we had done it before! For the first month of rehearsals, I could sit out, call out my lines, block and give direction while watching. But later on, tech week rehearsals, when I needed to be on stage too, it was very hard. Another thing to remember...when you are in the wings, trying to stay in character, trying remember your next line, trying to remember what props you need, it doesn't help to have 20 other cast members asking you questions about what they need to have or where they need to be. I did end up depending on a few other people to watch and take notes during tech week, which was very helpful, but it isn't the same. Someone else is not going to see the same things you would. BTW - the show ended up to be fabulous, but the frustration level was unbelievable up to that point. Maybe a smaller cast, non-musical would be doable. But I don't think I will be trying that again!
	Sue ***** So many hats.....so few heads!
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75director Celebrity Joined: 8/19/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 122	Posted: 1/16/07 at 2:41pm
	I would echo the comments about directing and acting not being an ideal situation. I've had to be in a few of my own shows due to various reason and I really don't like it. It also requires the director to be twice as organized. When I've had to do it, I always make sure I have a strong and experienced stage management team to give me input during the process. Usually I have someone who has worked with me before and knows my "style". Some people would have an assistant director for this sort of thing, which works too. Not that I would ever set up a video camera in a theatre, but in theory I also tape run throughs during the process and every tech week rehearsal. I watch the tape after the rehearsal and give notes at the top of the next rehearsal. The actors never are allowed to see the tapes, which I tape over every night. Of course that's all hypothetical, cuz no one video tapes
	IP Logged

B-M-D Celebrity Joined: 11/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 346	Posted: 1/16/07 at 4:17pm
	I'd have to agree with most everyone on this topic. Wouldn't do it unless I had no other choice. I don't have the patience or arrogance to think I could do both at the same time.
	BD "Dying is easy, comedy is hard."
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NagarWSF Walk-On Joined: 1/11/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/18/07 at 2:47pm
	Yeah, I'd have to agree too. Not to mention that my ADD kicks in. I actually need to focus on the big picture at times. And when I am acting, I need to be able to focus on what I am doing, and what my scene partner is doing. That is why I stopped acting! I was often finding myself thinking about everyone else's parts, and the stage picture, and the overall pacing, and the set and the lights, and etc. It seemed logical for me to direct, and it has been the best switch for me. Being able to work onthe big picture helps me see the details! May not make sense, but hey! So, no I would never cast myself or direct myself. It can be done, but not by me! Sandy
	Working Class Theatre Company www.workingclasstheatre.org
	IP Logged

red diva Celebrity Joined: 5/15/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 199	Posted: 1/18/07 at 4:46pm
	I agree with all those that are nay-sayers on this topic. The only time I did it was when two of my cast members had to "leave town" very "suddenly" when the local gendarmes were carrying on a rather extensive drug sweep in our town. This was the week before opening, and I had to step into one of the roles, and find a man to step into the other. I HATED it!!! Not only was I unable to enjoy watching the fruits of our labors, but I was unable to spend the last week "fine tuning" and tightening up the production. I really feel that if you are going to be a good director, you need to be out in the house, watching what's happening on stage. If you are on stage, you can't see the pictures, the blocking, the ensemble.....etc., etc., etc. But, that's just me!
	"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"
	IP Logged