A Director - Someone Who Is To Lead in the Arts Part 2

Continuing on the idea that Directors are leaders....

This past week as a Director, I have been in evaluation mode. As a result, I have had conversations with several people who work in different capacities in the theatre - Producer, Actor, Stage Manager - and all of them have had very similar responses when I tell them that I am interested in their feedback about their work with me and the relationship we have had. They say, "Really? You want to know what I think? Really??? 'Cause I'm so used to not being heard or even asked."

There is a reason my asking is a surprise.  As it is the Director whose vision and leadership becomes the focal point of creation for a production, it has been my experience that in the theatre world many Directors do not ask what the people they work most closely with think of their leadership or their work.

Again, I want to reiterate that I struggle with both evaluation and also to not fall when I am leading.  Being a Director carries with it great challenges.  It is easy to see how someone in this role might make mistakes.  After all, we are front and center leading the vision into reality.  However, I believe, for the powerful communication through art, that it is imperative that Directors learn to not only be powerful creators but powerful leaders and people.

Obviously, there is a danger in asking anyone and everyone for an evaluation. You can, for one, become overwhelmed with all the information you are getting back. And, if you are not secure in your person, evaluation can knock you for a loop.

However, I have found that there is value in asking those who you know will be honest and open with you. It can provide you with great insights into things that you did not realize and it can assist you in growing in the places that you really do need to mature in rather than only the ones that you yourself are interested in.

It is never easy to hear feedback but it always bears fruit and improves my next project and my life.


Designing with you...

Wanda
http://www.reinholdtproductions.ca

A Director - Someone Who Is To Lead in the Arts Part 1

Who is a Stage Director? This is the person whose responsibility it is to communicate, clarify and control or lead in the production of a show for the stage and the theatre. They collaborate with designers, actors and producers to create a story on the stage. And they rely on managers to assist them in putting it on the stage in a strong powerful way within the boundaries of budget and space.

In order to do the things that a Director needs to do and to do them with excellence and integrity, a Director must become someone who is not only a great creator but also a great leader and person. It is a huge responsibility - one that should never be taken lightly.

Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly my experience to hear of Stage Directors who do not handle their responsibilities well. This includes some who are well educated and even those who are teaching the skills in universities and colleges.

This is hard to hear. I find this difficult to hear because a Director sets the tone for the whole experience. The people who work with a Director have a very different experience depending on the character of the Director they are collaborating with. Whether we want to admit it or not, those of us who work as Directors are leaders and have a mandate to be the best we can be as people in skill and our persons. If we treat people in our lives without respect and take advantage of them, then we are not going to produce very good shows nor are we going to leave a very strong legacy.

I know that this is true because I have struggled all my life to treat my friends, family and colleagues with respect and with love. It's not that my heart is set not to. It's just that I have learned this bad behavior - when the pressures are on during the creation of a piece or I am not having a great day or something personally is occurring in my life that is difficult to deal with, I sometimes choose to feel out of control and insecure. As a result, I have tended to condescend or disrespect people. This has not bode well for me in my life. I have lost opportunities and relationships because of this.

So if you are a Director, I would encourage you, based on my experience, to take a look at how things are going for you and what kind of result you are having. You might just want to make some changes.


Designing with you...

Wanda
http://www.reinholdtproductions.ca