Directing
Directing
#1Directing
Posted: 10/8/08 at 12:44amMy parish has asked me to run an after school theater program, most of the children range from ages 6 to 13. The goal is to start a community theater- first show with the hcildren, then we would like to get some adults involved once we can get evening hours. I would like to direct a musical, but I don't have any directing experience. I have choreographed many shows through the years, and played some bit parts also. I directed two one-act straight plays, but never a musical with children. Any suggestions for some books I can read on directing?
Acting should be bigger than life. Scripts should be bigger than life. It should all be bigger than life.- Bette Davis
#2re: Directing
Posted: 10/8/08 at 12:46amI can't think of books off the top of my head, but my advice is to look at a lot of amateur theater on Youtube and see what works and what doesn't, specifically with children's theater. For example, herding the children and putting them into a big group on stage often ends with them "ad-libbing" and taking the emphasis off of the leads.
#3re: Directing
Posted: 10/8/08 at 1:32amI am very grateful for the opportunity...I don't want to screw it up, so that's why I posted for advice.
Acting should be bigger than life. Scripts should be bigger than life. It should all be bigger than life.- Bette Davis
Q
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/3/05
#4re: Directing
Posted: 10/8/08 at 3:15amIs it necessary to jump right in with a musical? That adds a layer of complication that I would avoid, if possible. There are plenty of children's theatre pieces that are 'straight' drama (or comedy, obviously.) Adding the element of music takes things to a very different level - and, if this is your 'first time', it might be prudent to keep things as simple as you can.
#5re: Directing
Posted: 10/8/08 at 9:21amThere is a book called "How To Direct A Musical"
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#6re: Directing
Posted: 10/8/08 at 12:09pm
Sense of Direction....still the best book on directing ever
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
#7re: Directing
Posted: 10/9/08 at 12:41amThank you everyone...borstalboy, I just ordered that book!!!
Acting should be bigger than life. Scripts should be bigger than life. It should all be bigger than life.- Bette Davis
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#8re: Directing
Posted: 10/9/08 at 9:29amIt's a great read. He doesn't touch too much on musicals, so you might want to explore further.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
Mekroth
Broadway Star Joined: 2/23/08
#9re: Directing
Posted: 10/9/08 at 10:26amThe idiot's guide to amateur theatricals really helped me.
Videos