Learning the Ropes: Directing

What great fun! I was invited to direct the drama for Church of Our Saviour's Easter services this year, and we've combined it with a class on directing. Only 3 in the cast and, get this, TWELVE have signed up to come along and learn first hand about directing. Seems like a crazy idea, but worth a try. It all came about because another group had asked for a class on directing and I told them I don't think you can learn how to direct by sitting in a classroom and taking notes. It is better "caught" than "taught."

Well, we had our first read-through last night and then met with the directing group after. I think we're all anticipating a new kind of learning adventure. A great group from a number of different churches who all have a lot to offer. Interesting that there were 2 theatre practitioners came and found out for the first time that they were Christians. If that weren't enough of a surprise, when the group was introducing themselves, they learned that they also go to the same church!

The program we're working on comes from Willow Creek Community Church in the States. here's a link to AT THE BRIDGE, the script we're working on. You can even watch it on video at the link.

Here is the list of questions I asked the group of directors at the end of the evening:

1. What did you notice about the group/room/atmosphere when you came first came in tonight? (intimidating, big, didn't know everyone)
   
2. How did you feel about it? (how do I measure up? will they make me do something weird? I'm tired! I don't want to do any jumping around!)
   
3. What were your questions at the beginning of the evening? (what style will we do the piece in? When will we get to staging the piece? Should I be here? Is this going to be a waste of tiem?)
   
4. Do you think people were made to feel at ease? (Yes) How? (Mostly by the sense of fun, and that the director didn't take herself too seriously or intimidate us. Introducing one another and praying together was a real bonding time)
   
5. What could have made it better? (meeting in the auditorium is a bit overwhelming. note: yes! Normally we'd do a first rehearsal in a smaller room)
   
6. What did we get done/accomplish tonight? (familiarized with the script, met each other, get more eager anticipation of what's ahead, got excited!)
   
7. What was most important for me to accomplish tonight? (establishing trust and confidence in the director's ability to lead)
   
8. Do you think it was accomplished? (hope so!)
   
9. If you were one of the actors, what questions and feelings would you have at the end of tonight's rehearsal? (what's my homework? What do you want me to do next? note: good thing for email!)
   
10. What are YOUR questions and feelings now?

My aim for the night, more than anything was to give vision for the project, create an atmosphere of fun, trust and confidence in my ability to lead. Normally we'd pass out a rehearsal schedule in this first meeting, but we didn't have that ready to pass out yet. It doesn't matter, we have email nowadays. I think we all agreed that my goals for the night were met. There was a great spirit of camraderie and the actors weren't even intimidated to have all these other people watching them as they went through the script a few times.

I'm glad to have seen the actors up on their feet and hear them try out the words... now my mind is spinning with staging ideas. One thing I did realize last night as I drove home. I'm normally a very collaborative leader. I'm very open to input and others' ideas. WARNING: With 12 directors around, I'm going to have to be careful not to open up to them for much input! We'll never get anything done! I'll have to give more direct direction this time around or we'll make the actors crazy. I'll let the other directors give their input later when we meet for 1/2 hour at the end of every rehearsal.