Katie Robinson

From THEA435

Research Topic

What does it take to direct in the professional theatre world.

Research Questions

Why did you choose to be a director?

How do you begin to have directing opportunities?

Compared with acting, how does an agents role differ, if at all?

How do you begin to approach a show?

What are the relationships like in general between the director and the design team? Or is it too varied to say?

Many directors write, act, or do something else other than direct, how does this play into directing?

What training should be found on my resume?

What is the most challenging part of your career?

What challenges might I have being a young person seeking to find a place in the world of directing?

Many directors happen to be men, are there different challenges to be faced as a female director?

I have an interest in travel as well as theatre, directing seems like it could lend itself to a lot of travel, is this true?

How does one begin to develop their own personal aesthetic? How important is it?

How much choice do you have in the productions you direct? Do you seek to direct shows or are you approached to direct?

Is there much proposal of shows that you yourself have an interest in directing? If so, who to? Producers?

How does directing for the commercial theatre compare with directing for non-profit theatre?

What was your first professional directing opportunity and did it indeed lead to others?

What is the most peculiar aspect of directing in the theatre?

What was the best experience you ever had directing a show?

In your opinion, what is the most valuable skill a director can have?

Possible Resources

New York

Julie Taymor :)

Sam Buntrock

Michael Mayer

Steven Cosson

Ellie Renfield

Ellen Stewart

Adam Rapp

Ron Russell

Andrew Leynse

Jerry Mitchell

Iris Bahr

Leigh Silverman

Carl Forsman

Joseph Hardy

Jim Furlong

John Jahnke

Paul Zimet

Ian Crawford

Bryn Boice

Matt Schicker

Michael Kimmel

Sarah Jones

Will Pomerantz

N.G. Mclernan

DC

Moisés Kaufman

Mary Zimmerman

Ethan McSweeney

Joy Zinoman

Anne Kauffman

Serge Seiden

John Going

Fredericksburg

Gregg Stull

Branden Prendergast

Helen Housley