Collaboration Part Three: The Actors

I love actors. I'm always surprised by directors, and writers and designers for that matter, who either say that they don't like actors or at least give every indication through their actions that they don't. I come from an acting background --it's what I wanted to do since I was a kid (I was a full on musical theatre kid geek) and my degree is in acting not in directing.

Back in college I had an acting teacher who told us that we had to make sure we were well trained because there would be times when we were going to be on our own during the rehearsal process. I'll never forget when he said to us, "Look, one day you're going to be playing Hamlet and the director is going to tell you to do "To be or not to be" standing on your head and you're going to ask why and he or she is going to say, "Because I told you to." And then he said, "A majority of directors you work with will be traffic cops, some may actually do damage by guiding you down the wrong path with a role or worse, and if you're lucky, a few may actually inspire you or teach you something." Well, when I started directing I knew I wanted to try and be a member of that final group. I also remember, when I was acting, those experiences when the cast sort of couldn't wait for the director to leave so they could do what they wanted to do. I sure as hell knew I didn't want to be that guy. And don't get me wrong, there are times when all I want to say when an actor asks me why they're doing something is, "Because I told you to!" But... to me the rehearsal room is (and yes I know this sounds pretentious) a sacred space. It needs to be safe. I think the only way to find out what works is to find out what doesn't, which means failure is going to be an inevitable part of the process.

I also always try to remind myself that actors, if they're not going to have a miserable experience, have to come in trusting, and my job is to not betray that trust. The first play I ever directed was very sexually charged and required a shocking physical intimacy between the actors. The two actors were interviewed at one point and one of them said, "We're touching each other in places where only lovers touch, and we're not lovers, we're actors." I've always found that statement really powerful, and I try to remind myself of its truth and potency going into every project. Whether they're "baring it all" literally or emotionally, the actors are being asked to wade into dangerous waters, and the safety built in the rehearsal room is the thing that keeps them afloat-- allowing them to brave deeper and deeper depths.

This cast is extraordinary-- everyone always comes into the room with good humor and ready to work. And most of them are learning TWO shows-- two NEW shows. Actors- Gotta love 'em.