 WORKING WITH ACTORS from STAGE DIRECTING, A director’s itinerary

General Guidelines  Be specific, never vague  Know what the actors want  Be flexible and open to new ideas  Be ready to explain ideas  Value the input of actors  Understand the actors process

General Guidelines  Understand the actors ego  Play whatever role you need to play from moment to moment  Remain uninvolved with offstage drama  Creative a rehearsal atmosphere that fosters creativity and risk-taking

Specificity Be clear, concise and confident in what you are saying. You don’t have to be right, you have to be clear.

Questioning the director IF THE ACTOR QUESTIONS A CHOICE, THE DIRECTOR HAS A COUPLE OF OPTIONS. 1. LISTEN TO WHAT THE ACTOR HAS TO SAY AND RECONSIDER YOUR CHOICE WITH AN OPEN MIND. 2. IF ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT IN THE IDEA, ASK THE ACTOR TO TRY IT WITH FULL COMMITMENT.

Ultimately, is the battle worth fighting?

Ty to avoid showing Let the actor discover. It is always better for the actor to discover moments than for you to impose something the actor does not understand.

LINE READINGS Avoid if possible, since it is always better for the actor to live the line than to mimic…HOWEVER…sometimes it becomes the best solution. BUT, when is that? Let your experience guide you.

LISTEN to the actors  Different actor require different methods depending upon the circumstance (school, community, professional)  Ultimately, whatever works is a credit to your work as a director  It doesn’t matter where the good ideas come from, the show’s success should be the focus  Be flexible and listen to everyone’s idea

Respect the actor’s process

Be patient  Every actor works in a different way  Take your victories as they come  Don’t rush  Let the relationship between you and the actor guide the work.

Understand the process  Study acting  Actors focus in inward, Director’s is outward  Build and maintain trust  Balance notes with sensitivity of the actor  What about the actor who resists? Ignore them. When they ask for help then you can offer it.

Director or psychologist?

Set your ego aside  Every situation has its own best solution  Remember, it is not about you, it is about the show  Over time, you will become better able to understand human behavior

Offstage drama  Actors have lives and issues outside the rehearsal hall, try not to be involved  Keep offstage drama outside the rehearsal hall  Novice directors will struggle with this, but they must develop thick skins and avoid these entanglements

Creating the rehearsal atmosphere  Risk taking  Adventurous  Fund  Imaginative  Positive  All a reflection of you

Difficult actors  Start conversations on a positive note  Don’t demean the actor and don’t attack  Listen  Don’t let your anger show  Don’t relent, if you are trying to modify behavior  If they become to disruptive, replace them

Divas Focus on WE not ME Remember that knowledge is power Level the playing field Develop an ensemble Don’t embarrass a diva Find out what makes them tick

Managing diverse personalities  Pay attention in casting  Start assessing the challenges at first rehearsal  Use common sense, focus on the work, not on personalities  Set appropriate rules and enforce them  Make it clear that actors can bring problems to you

Actors who dislike one another ACTORS don’t always get along Remind them of their professional obligations See anecdote, page 186

Other issues  Actor who direct  Actors who direct others DON’T GET INTIMIDATED FOCUS ON THE WORK