Director - Jobs in the Theatre - Part 5

A director is the person that is responsible for guiding actors all throughout rehearsals in order to achieve the vision that the director has for a play. This entails many duties involving the play itself, actors, and other teams and workers in the theatre. It is important that the director be able to work closely with others. While some theatres have a resident director (meaning that there is always a director available to direct a play), most theatres hire directors on a freelance basis. Even when there is a resident director, some theatres may invite guest directors.

The director must read the script and come up with a vision for it. Sometimes the script specifies how it is to be staged. This may include the set and blocking, just the set, or just the blocking. Other times, everything is left up to the director's vision. Either way, the director still has to analyze the script to figure out what he or she wants the actors to do and how he or she feels they should be saying lines. While the director will most likely let the actors make personal choices (although there are some that treat actors like pawns and tell them exactly what to do), there will be some ways that the director will want to see things on or hear things from the stage. The director will guide actors and will work with them one on one or in small groups when needed.

The director is also responsible for holding auditions. Sometimes the director is responsible for casting people in roles. Other times, this is delegated to a casting director. However, the production's director will most likely still be at auditions and discuss casting with the casting director.

During the rehearsal process, the director will also attend production meetings that are held so the different departments can discuss what is needed for the production. Once the entire rehearsal process is done, the director's job is done. It is then up to the director (unless there is a certain contract in the theatre specifying what should be done) to attend or not attend the performances of the play.

The director will also set a rehearsal schedule. If there is a production manager, the director will work closely with that person in order to figure out a rehearsal schedule and help that person be able to keep others on schedule so everything is ready for the production.

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