Directing
The Last Few Weeks Before Showtime
The last few weeks before showtime can be weird. The initial excitement has worn off but things are not quite ready for performance, so a lot of rehearsal is spent reviewing and doing things “one...
Directing
Bring your vision to life.
Explore practical directing tips, rehearsal strategies, and creative approaches for both student and teacher directors. From first read to final performance, find what you need to shape strong, confident productions.
Directing
Round-up: Production Preparation
Whether you’re directing your first school show or you’re a seasoned pro, a well-prepared, well-organized production plan has a trickle-down effect on the entire production process. When you have...
Directing
Working With Co-Directors, Assistant Directors, and More
Having additional personnel working on a school production can be incredibly helpful. Co-director, associate director, assistant director, director’s assistant, artistic associate — they’re all...
Directing
Pros and Cons: Food and Drink Onstage
Eating and drinking are necessary for existence on this planet. So much of our life is centred around food: making it together, serving it for a special occasion, trying new dishes, challenges...
Directing
Tips for Casting a Musical Revue
Musical revues are a great choice for a school production. There is no limit on how many students you can cast, you can tailor the casting of the show to fit the skills and talents of the students...
Directing
How Do You Manage Overcommitted Students Who Miss Rehearsals?
In the world of theatre, orchestrating a seamless production is a delicate balance. Directors often find themselves having to gracefully handle overcommitted students juggling demanding schedules....
Directing
How Do You Handle Disruptive Cast Members During Rehearsal?
Ever found yourself at the helm of a lively, energetic, and occasionally disruptive drama club? In search of practical strategies and teacher-tested tips to maintain positive energy and curb...
Directing
How Do You Handle Conflicts & Disagreements During Rehearsals?
Stepping onto the stage is an exciting journey, but, inevitably, conflicts and disagreements among cast members can occasionally take centre stage during rehearsals. To avoid chaos, directors need...
Directing
How Do You Support Students Who Feel Discouraged About Ensemble Roles?
As theatre educators we understand the importance of making every student feel valued and inspired throughout their theatrical journey. However, we know that students can become discouraged when...
Directing
Pros and Cons: Open Auditions vs. Closed Auditions
There are various methods of having students audition for your upcoming theatrical production. The most common methods are having students present a prepared monologue and/or song or doing cold...
Directing
How to Effectively Create and Use the Audition Waiting Area
You’ve chosen your show, purchased the rights, and let your students know about auditions. There’s a lot to prepare, but we are here to help you out! In this article, we’re focusing on a small...
Directing
What Type of Director Are You?
There are a variety of styles when it comes to taking the helm of a production. Which type of director are you? Which suits your students best? ‘Do as I say’ — The DictatorThis type of director has...
Directing
What Happens When The Director Gets Sick?
This article was inspired by a situation that happened to me. Recently, I was directing a production of Disney’s Descendants: The Musical with a cast of 23 amazing students in grades 8, 9, and 10....
Directing
What’s your best piece of advice for drama teachers producing their first show?
Whether you’re new to teaching or new to teaching drama, producing your very first show can evoke equal parts excitement, nervousness, and terror. You know you want it to be great for your students...
Directing
Round-up: Best casting advice for fellow directors
Every production requires the right blend of individuals to help tell the story. As theatre teachers, the challenge is finding these individuals and matching them to the parts that will best bring...
Directing
Round-up: Best costuming advice for a new director
Costumes are a fabulous part of theatre — they help tell the story, they help actors get into character, and they immediately tell the audience something about what’s going on. But whether they’re...
Directing
Getting Ready to Direct Your First Virtual Play
One of the biggest challenges and disappointments of the current pandemic situation is the loss of live theatre production opportunities. Shows have been cancelled and postponed and we don’t have a...
Directing
Tips for First Time Student Stage Managers
We all know the value of a great stage manager, and it’s important to give students the opportunity to take on this vital role. However, if your student stage manager has never done the job before,...