Unify the Stage

Mary really beautifully and simply articulates semiotics in the theater, identifying a definition of theatricality that I found astute as a "visible metaphor that calls attention to itself". It's a great talk.

I have a first rehearsal tomorrow for Neighborhood 3 at Strawdog Theatre. Right now, I’m in the middle of crafting my first day address. I am of the opinion that the first day address is a crucial point in a director’s process. This is for two major reasons (although I have more secondary reasons): 1.   This talk will get your cast, company, and anyone else in the room all at the same launching point for rehearsals to commence. It also re-establishes and solidifies the work that you’ve done with designers to get to this point. It is the opportunity to declare to everyone what your production of this play will be about, what it will look like, feel like, and why they should be excited about it. (And you hopefully expel their fears about the production, if they have any.)       2.   The crafting of this talk forces the director to articulate what the play is about, what the world of the play is, and why not only to the group but to themselves, and in...

A very articulate and inspiring talk by Anna D. Shapiro (my directing mentor) at Chicago Ideas Week. In this talk she explains why the director's first day address is one of the most important moments a director has. http://www.chicagoideas.com/videos/21