The Director as Collaborator, 2nd Edition

Chapter 2Core Action

Defining the core action of a production may be the director’s most influential decision, matched only by choosing the ensemble and building an atmosphere of trust among its members. In every production, a director makes certain choices about the core action, emphasizing some aspects of the action at the expense of others, and no single choice is the “correct” one. If there were only one answer to this central question, directing would be solely craft. Although the craft of directing—the nuts and bolts of putting a play on its feet—is an essential part of the director’s work, the art of directing—the director’s interpretation of the script and the creation of his or her vision on stage—is equally essential to effective theater. ...