Directing Middle School: A How-To Guide
First time directing middle schoolers? These “hilarious little sponges” may keep you on your toes, but Brit Christopher has some great tips on working with the best kind of students you’ll find!
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directors
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I Wish I Knew: 7 things to know as a director! Interview with Jeffrey Lo
Jeffrey Lo is a Filipino-American playwright and director, and the casting director at the soon-to-be Tony Award winning TheatreWorks Silicone Valley! J Lo (as he’s lovingly known by his friends), gives an incredibly detailed, thoughtful, wise interview about how playwriting led him to directing, why we still have a long way to go to achieving equity and inclusion in the theater, the difference in directing new works vs. classical works, and much, much more. If you’re interested in directing, playwriting, acting, or anything else, this is the interview for you!
Celebrate Women in Theatre with The Bridge Initiative
March is Women’s History Month, and throughout the theatre and film industry, women’s achievements are being celebrated. While there have been strides towards gender equity and representation in theatre, there is still work to do. The Actor’s Equity Association has done a study that identifies the “skew” towards white and male for theatre jobs .
Fortunately, there are dynamic groups dedicated to creating opportunities for women artists. The Bridge Initiative, created by Brenda Jean Foley and Tracy Liz Miller, is an incredible non-profit organization that incubates and celebrates professional female theatre artists in the Phoenix area. Read more to learn about the origins and ambitions of The Bridge Initiative.
The Art and Importance of Asking for Feedback
In my book, the number one thing that separates good actors from great actors is their ability to hear and respond to feedback. But who is telling artists what they need to hear? There is something amazing that happens when you get cast in a show: you inherit a director.
Suddenly, you have someone to shape your work, and help you see beyond your own limitations. You have a person who is on your side, but is being paid to push you. That person is allowed to question your choices, encourage you to do more and be more, and ask you to reach further inside to make the piece stronger, as a whole. Like a football coach, your director helps you find the plays and puts you in the best position for overall success.
But what about the other ninety percent of your career? All that time when you are trying to get the gig. Ladies and gentlemen —-THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME TO ASK FOR FEEDBACK.
