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Okay, I'll start by
saying "good question", 00420. Then, I'll skip the obvious (have a clue, don't show up
drunk, etc). Moving on..... typically the director relinquishes control to the SM at the start of
Tech Week, depending on the theater, so these really relate to the rehearsal period. I
could elaborate on any that aren't clear if you like. This list is not
definitive. I will probably think of ten more right after I click submit. And
surely others will have some thoughts. And primarily, it's CT we're talking about here.
As an actor, I
expect you the director to (in no certain order):
- Be the first one at
rehearsal or have a good reason not to be, and have the stage manager there in
your place to start rehearsal on time until you get there
- Be available to talk
privately on break or after for anything requiring more than a moment's
discussion during the rehearsal
- Dedicate the
preassigned rehearsal time to the actors, no one else (designers, techs,
producer) - it's our time now, schedule a meeting with them another night
- Be encouraging and
supportive of all the our efforts
- Avoid obvious
favoritism towards "old friends" in the cast, or the "better"
actors
- Avoid flattering
yourself out loud on your talents, such as casting or blocking - you're supposed to be
good at it
- Let the stage
manager do his/her job
- Make decisions as
needed, about costuming or lighting or blocking or whatever
- Allow the actors to
be more than pre-recorded mouthpieces for the playwright
- Be in control,
making sure a little leeway isn't taken advantage of by the "center of
attention" types
- Know the script
better than anyone in the cast, at least at first
- Provide the cast and
crew with a set of rules or guidelines as to how you run a show (ettiquette,
etc)
- Provide a schedule
of rehearsals and performances to avoid conflicts, but be flexible enough to
allow for life's intrusions
- Give productive
notes, not just pick out all the things that weren't up to snuff, and don't
belabor the point
I've acted under a few directors who could have used some of these thoughts, and others who appear to have read my mind. As a director, I live by them myself, and again may think of others and revisit the post.
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