A lot of people – and a lot of people who direct at other venues – like to use CTD as an opportunity to act.
However, we always need directors, and to encourage new ones, here are some tips and comments on how CTD directors have found the experience to date.
Personally, I found the idea quite scary initially – and I’ve had a bit of directing experience. However it is good fun, the atmosphere is amicable (if a little competitive…) and the audience always enthusiastic.
So, to kick off here are six things we’ve learned about directing, CTD style:
- Be Prepared: we’re not talking weeks of commitment here. Read the script through a number of times, being aware of the characters, location, props and motives/goals of the piece. An hour at most reading through and making notes will probably do you. At least then you will know who to cast, and what you want them to do. All of which saves precious time
- Keep it simple: Don’t be overambitious: remember you’ll only have an hour tops to direct this thing, so complicated staging and in-depth character development are a no-no.
- Use Props Sparingly: remember these are rehearsed readings, so the actors will have scripts in their hands. I learned the difficulties of this when directing a piece which required one cast member to be tied up whilst the other loaded and brandished a gun. Difficult to pull off smoothly when you have to turn pages… Fortunately, the actors were calmly professional about the whole thing and still made it work.
- Be Flexible: if there aren’t enough women to go round (and this is the first drama event I’ve ever been in involved with where men routinely outnumber women!!) you may find yourself sharing actors with other pieces, which will significantly reduce your rehearsal time. Or you may have to double cast some characters – this is particularly likely if you need a cast of 6 or more.
- Spread the Word: if you want there to be enough actors then invite people along; if they are already coming then invite more. Speak to actors, writers, directors and potential audience folk and get them along.
- Don’t Panic: we’re all in the same boat…
Are there any CTD members who have considered directing, but have yet to put themselves forward?
If so, what’s holding you back, and what can be done to gently nudge you into taking the plunge?
Crash Test Drama UK 