How To Direct a Play in 10 Steps | Play Direction 101: Ultimate Guide for Director, Part 2

Unleash your creativity in play direction with these 10 tips for directors. Get ready to elevate your play direction with these practical techniques and advice.
[0:0] Intro
[0:18] Step 6: Rehearsals
*When scheduling rehearsals, schedule actors based on the scenes they are in, rehearsing the scenes out of order rather than rehearsing the play top to bottom
*Choose your location early to notify actors where they will be travelling to
*Your rehearsal space should be clean, with safe flooring, and adequate seating, with a fridge and/or microwave for company lunches
*Directors need to come to rehearsals prepared with ideas for blocking, set, and props

[2:33] Step 7: Run Throughs
*Part of the rehearsal process, but running through the entire show top to bottom, in the rehearsal space, giving notes only at the end
*Try to discipline yourself as a director to not stop the cast every two minutes - they need to practice the flow of the show while you focus on the arch of the entire show
*Actors should be writing their notes down
*Also practice quick changes, transitions, lighting and sound cues, and curtain call in run-throughs
*Use rehearsal time to capture behind-the-scenes footage to promote the show and start selling tickets
[5:54] Step 8: Tech Week
*See my videos on TECH WEEK for more details (link below)
*Stage Manager becomes the leader of the company during Tech Week
*Consists of Load In, Level Set, Cue to Cue, Tech Rehearsal, Dress Rehearsal, Open/Invited Dress or Preview
[7:31] Step 9: Show Week
*The final dress rehearsal should be the absolute last time you give actors notes (if not sooner, then Opening night)
*It's the Stage Manager's job to maintain the quality of the show and will give notes to actors
*It's recommended to preset at the end of each performance, so it’s ready for the next show
[9:10] Step 10: Post Mortem
*Be organized when you strike
*Collect feedback from entire company to ask for brutal honesty (link to example Google form below)
*Consider having a cast party to say a final thank you and goodbye