Directing Articles for Drama Teachers

We recorded a podcast featuring 9 teachers from all over the country, in both middle school and high school programs, to find out what makes them able to do it all when directing a play. Here are...

Choosing a show for your school to produce can be challenging. But once you have selected the show, the hard part is done, right? Well, it’s one thing crossed off your list, but your list is about...

Directors need to have a vision for the play. That means ALL directors: professional, community, high school, and middle school. Why is it important to have a vision?• A vision gives the play a...

Do you include student directing in your program or are you thinking about introducing it this year? Tfolk playwright Clint Snyder reveals some tips for student directors. Directing can be...

The “show circle” is one of my go-to theatre techniques, no matter whether I’m teaching a drama class or directing a production. Whenever it’s time for class or rehearsal to start, the first words...

Episode 153: Directing Mary PoppinsArtistic Director of the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Todd Espeland directed the musical Mary Poppins last fall. How did put his own stamp on the musical? How did he...

Episode 149: Do-it-All DirectorsAre you a do it all director? Today we talk to a number of teachers who have to do it all. We have high school and middle school teachers and teachers who are...

Episode 147: Directing the School MusicalDirecting a musical is a daunting feat. Directing a musical with students can be overwhelming! In this podcast listen to three teachers talk about their...

Many productions are based on a pyramid structure : Stars at the top, supporting cast in the middle, chorus at the bottom. Even though there are more actors involved at the bottom of the pyramid,...

Episode 93: Directing the Non-Traditional PlayHigh school director Ray Palasz talks about directing Drum Taps, a theatrical adaptation of Walt Whitman’s poetry. Why is struggle an important tool in...

Episode 111: Directing the Large Cast Middle School PlayIt’s one thing to want to put every middle schooler who auditions on stage. It’s another thing to pull off a successful production. How do...

Episode 108: Directing the Middle School MusicalBrian Borowka teaches a grade 8 musical theatre class which culminates in a production. He passes on his tips for directing a middle school musical,...

Episode 102: Directing Youth with Kerry HishonYouth Director Kerry Hishon talks about the process from auditions to rehearsal to performance and shares her hints, tips, and tricks. If you’re...

Episode 86:Character Interpretation – The Director’s Point of ViewTwo directors, high school teacher Carolyn Greer, and middle school teacher Jessica Stafford, share their experience working on the...

Enjoy this replay of our January 2014 LIVE Drama Teacher Hangout. The topic was “Directing First Time Actors” with Forrest Musselman, a theatre teacher who shared some very valuable tips for...

If you’ve acted in a play or musical, you’ve been through the audition process. But what is it like to be on the other side of the table? • What are the different types of auditions? • How do you...

Many senior drama classes have a student directing project. The best way to learn the process is to dive in, but where do you start? • How do you find a play? • Is there a budget for royalties? •...

You’re shopping for your next play. The stack of catalogues is to your left. There are seven tabs open on your computer from various companies. Your eyes are bleary. And if you have to read one...