We've been doing student directed one acts for well over 30 years at my school (I was one at the same school back in the day) so it is a bit of a tradition and the kids line up to apply. Unfortunately, we don't currently have a theatre class dedicated to play direction (I'm working on adding it to the curriculum in the next couple years because of the demand). So in lieu of having a direction class (and before we even had a Theatre I class) I will have a meeting with those interested first to give them the nitty-gritty of what to expect and what is expected of them and make sure they knew exactly what they were getting into. I explain all the in's and out's and demands of a production. Then I have my students fill out a Google Form Application with some thought provoking questions (I've attached it) so they can get a better understanding of what is required and I can be a bit more informed in choosing the best candidates.
Our One Acts are in the fall, so I select my directors in May of the previous school year. This gives them time to get fully prepared before auditions in August. This would be a bit of an extra effort on your part, but I meet with my directors once a week throughout the summer, usually at a local coffee shop. Maybe two hours at a time and walk them through exactly what they need to know;
- how to pick a show / what considerations need to be made given content, performance space, talent pool, etc.
- the importance of design elements (props/set/lights/sound/video) and directors vision and how to plot out and communicate these to techies
- how to hold auditions and what to look for when casting
- how to separate being a friend from being a director to their peers
- what to expect in rehearsals and how different students need different directing/explanation approaches to get them to where they need to be
- and everything else a director does
I keep it to the simple basics of directing as not to overwhelm them but I also want them to be fully prepared before they dive into doing the actual directing part. I talk about my experiences and shows I've directed them in so they have a reference. I let them ask dozens of questions on how to do things and what to expect or what if something goes wrong, etc. I've also created a google drive filled with directing references and how to's that I share with them so they have access to even more directing sources and ideas.
Over the summer I also give them deadlines for when they need to have their show picked (and approved by me), when they need to have their set design complete, props list completed, lights and sound ideas completed, knowing the characters, etc. I find taking the time to do this over the summer and breaking it into smaller chucks (deadlines) really helps my students with the process. This helps to compartmentalize things and they don't get overwhelmed. My students walk into auditions super prepared, ready to cast and pass off all their design wishes/ideas/needs to the tech crew so they can run with it. Doing all that work/training up front allows them to have a much smoother and less overwhelming experience. And I let them know I will check in on them too and they can always come to me if they are having major issues they can't handle and would like me to step in to help them through it. While they still have a few stresses here and there I've never had a student break down or get so overwhelmed they walked out. Information and preparedness before auditions. This process has worked well for us.
Good luck!
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Jillian Lietzau
Lutheran High School
CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-18-2023 08:07
From: Blake Wilson
Subject: Preparing/Supporting Student Directors
Hi All-
Curious what you all do to support and train student directors in your program?
I'm a big believer in providing this opportunity when possible, but I also see that many of my student directors really struggle. I know that there is always a learning curve for new/young directors, especially when having to lead their peers...and I don't mind allowing them to have a certain amount of struggle for the purpose of learning. BUT, I want them to be able to feel successful too.
The last two years we have done student-directed one-act plays...and we usually have 2-3 directors sign up. But it seems like each year, one of the directors quits or becomes overwhelmed...so this has led me to reflect on finding better ways to prepare them. I don't want future directors to be scared away because they hear that it's a bad experience.
Suggestions welcome!
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Blake Wilson
Theatre Arts Director
Orange High School
NC
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