Directing: Syliva

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Syliva

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2730
Printed Date: 10/30/25 at 9:21pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Syliva

Posted By: semac98
Subject: Syliva
Date Posted: 10/10/07 at 9:38am

Hello all.

I am relatively new at directing and am taking on Sylvia this fall. I have never seen the play and was wondering if anyone out there might have a tape or disc of a local production of it for me to view or know of where I could find one. It would be a great help to see it performed and get some idea of the dynamics of the Sylvia character and her interactions with the "humans" on stage.

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much.

Sarah.

Replies:

Posted By: Debflo
Date Posted: 10/10/07 at 2:54pm

I did Sylvia recently, and while I don't have a video or tape of the production, the best thing I can suggest for the Sylvia character is that she is not her own character. She is what ever Greg wants and need her to be at that time. She is a dog - she is not a human. She behaves as such. That is why the end is written the way it is...

Hope that helps, let me know if you have any questions.

Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 10/10/07 at 6:14pm

I'm sure someone on here can help you out, but keep in mind that one of the great things about directing is that YOU get to decide how you want the show to look and how you want the characters to interact. I personally try to never see any other versions of a show I'm involved with from the time I find out I'm doing it until after it's done, because I don't want to fall into an imitation trap. I went to see a production of Little Shop of Horrors that was nearly ruined because the principle actors had very obviously done their character development research at the video store. The guy playing the dentist was fine, but he's no Steve Martin and when he tried to do what Steve Martin did, he fell far short. Sorry for the rant, I just don't want you to lose a great opportunity for creativity. Sylvia is very open to interpretation.

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"If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights."

Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 10/11/07 at 8:10am

I did my research watching my dogs. Watching them with the idea that they had the power of speech was probably the most fun I've had prepping for a show. I also was lucky, I needed an actress who would be willing to try anything, mine was fearless. She had her own dog and modeled her character after her wonderful chocolate lab. We used a picture of her dog Coco for the end of the play. Get a clear over all plan for where you want the show to go. There is lots of stuff on line to read. Like Eve said make the show your own. Play to your actor's strenghts.

Eve,either we saw the same version of "Little Shop", or way too many directors direct from the movie.

Linda