Drama Library

• The director is the primary person who controls how a play is performed.
• The director 's concept exemplifies the look and feel of a play.
• The director interprets the script and may alter a play's time period or geographic location.
• The director sets the mood of the play through pacing of the show, use of color in the designer's work, and other creative choices.
• The director meets with designers and explains the emotional state and time period, which carry the message the director wants. Designers develop set, lighting, and costume designs for the director.
• In production meetings the director works with the designers for scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound so the designs incorporate the director's concept of the production.
• The director selects the cast and through rehearsals coordinates all the elements into the finished production.
• The director is limited by
  • the theatre's budget for the production
  • the type of stage and whether it works with the director's concept

See some examples of different directors' concepts for Waiting for Godot and A Midsummer Night's Dream

Types of Theatrical Spaces

The type of theatre space influences the staging of the play.

Arena stage or theatre in the round

Audience sits on all four sides of the stage. Actors enter down the same aisles the audience uses

This stage works well with an intimate feel, a smaller cast, and a limited number of set pieces.

Scene changes for this set are usually limited because it clutters the stage and blocks the audiences' view.

Proscenium stage

The proscenium stage is like a picture frame a curtain may be used for scene shifts audience sits on one side.

Actors use stage right (SR) stage left (SL) and upstage areas (UL, UC, UR) for entrances occasionally this stage has a small apron.

This stage works well with both multiple sets and unit sets. Multiple sets are easier to shift or fly on this stage the stage can handle a larger cast.

Thrust stage

Downstage (D) area expands the apron so audience sits on three sides. Stage area includes both expanded apron and upstage (U).

Actors may enter from the same aisles the audience uses as well as UL, UR, and UC.

This stage offers both an intimate style and flexible stage. Multiple stage sets are possible and cast size may be large or small.

Flexible stage

Can take many forms

The audience and performers can remain separate or be intermingled

The configuration of the stage can change during the course of the performance

Resource: The essential theatre / Oscar G. Brockett, Robert J. Ball, eighth edition; drawings by David Betts.

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