Theatre: Art in Action

Chapter 11: Directing & Producing

Overview

The director's and producer's jobs are generally similar throughout different types of theatre, but different types of theatre present different challenges. Reader's Theatre allows a director to present a story without extensive movement or props. The rehearsal process is essentially a series of read-throughs. Technical elements and movement are used sparingly, though everyone in the cast should study the script extensively. Musical theatre demands a greater budget than theatre without music. The ensemble is bigger. The sets and costumes are more elaborate. The directing duties are portioned out to the music director, choreographer, and director. The producer of a musical needs to have a firm grasp of budget and find ways to attain extra funding. Film and TV directing and producing share many of the demands of theatre directing and producing, but knowledge of technology is more crucial, and the costs generally escalate. Multimedia and performance arts blur the lines among producer, director, and actor, as one person often produces, directs, and acts a performance art piece.