Directing Isn't Just Directing
Over this past month I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to be a director. Funny enough, the actual directing part is a very minor part of the position. Here are some things I didn’t expect when taking on this job. Disclaimer: this is just my experience with directing a musical at my college where they’ve never had a student director before. We’re all learning as we go, and absolutely loving it.
Directing isn’t just directing. Directing is hosting private music lessons, late night snapchat groups, youtube tutorials on conducting in 3/2, and remembering to bring the cookies for rehearsals. I think most importantly directing is having an open door for all hours of the day. On January 28th, we had our first rehearsal and were planning on learning the music. Due to some unexpected circumstances, I quickly learned I needed to not only be director but also step us and be music director. For the first week after every rehearsal, I spent my whole night learning how to conduct and how to lead music rehearsals. I took out my notebook and began writing down the names of all my music teachers/directors I’ve had and started writing about what I loved about each of them. This way I could help myself remember all the fun tricks my former teachers taught me and I could pass to my cast. The next week we started private music rehearsals. I learned that I can actually be a somewhat helpful singing coach! Thankfully, my cast is already incredibly talented but when it comes to the more difficult music I can actually conduct them and help them out! For some reason it amazes me that things I say can help a whole ensemble sound better.
My amazing cast during a run through!
If I could go back a month ago I would tell myself stop trying to emulate what i think is a good director and start directing what I want to see. I would also tell myself to stop worrying what others think of me. I spend far too long thinking about this in my day to day life and it started to affect how I direct. With the help of my amazing production team of strong young women, they helped me climb out of this rut.
Speaking of my amazing team, I have been blessed to work with some incredibly talented young women. We have AC who designed and built amazing costumes that are unique and scream HEATHERS in primary colors. Jordan, scenic designer, who created a seven foot tall playground of platform for me to fool with. Pickett, technical director who oversees all of the tech. Katie J, our sound designer who had 99% of the work done before our first meeting! Maiah, our dear choreographer, who brings a vibrant life to each of the songs. Katie M who jumped in at the last second to be our music runner and has taught herself the programs. And finally, my right hand and dear friend, Lizzy. Lizzy is my stage manager but has taken on 100 other roles and has practically become my assistant. Her dedication and excitement has brought the whole show a new life. To the whole crew, thank you. This group who has become a family, a wonderful team to collab with, and also become about 95% of my impulse control. I can always count on my amazing team to keep each other on track, keeping everyone safe, and tell me when rainbow fire for Dead Gay Son is a little too much for a funeral scene. All these ladies work hard EVERYDAY to get this show up and about. I love you all dearly and can’t wait to create another project together.
This experience has been wild. I am so grateful to the theatre faculty here at Eckerd for allowing us to take on this project and for their full support. We’ve all grown so much through this and can’t wait to see the public experience our work.
To all the friends and family that are waiting for me to pick up Facetime calls, text back, go on lunch dates or coffee breaks, I’m available starting April 5th.
And to answer your question of “Where are you all the time?”, come see where I’ve been spending the majority of each 24 hour day on April 1st-4th at Bininger Theatre.
“Well, I think I’m not alone saying this: in terms of people who the outside world would maybe define as fearless, first and foremost, it’s not that we’re fearless. It’s that I move through the fear because it doesn’t strike me that there is another option”
