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Mastering the Art of Directing a Musical
By James A. Rocco
“Theater is a verb before it is a noun, an act before it is a place." – Martha Graham
At their best, musicals seamlessly integrate story, song, and dance. A director's job is to create a cohesive narrative that binds these elements together.
Mastering the art of musical theater is an intricate dance of storytelling, emotion, and technical prowess. Directing a musical amplifies this complexity. It can be an exciting challenge or a headache, but for those of us compelled to take on the challenge, it often becomes a lifelong obsession to perfect our skills.
Whether you're a seasoned director or new to the craft, I hope these "tips" will support your pursuits.
Preparation is the key to success.
Directing a musical is akin to planting a garden; it requires time to nurture and grow. A year for pre-production is a gift. It allows you to immerse yourself in the script and dream about the possibilities. The creative process thrives on time—rushing it can uproot the seeds before they sprout.
However, even a few weeks can be enough if time is not on your side. The key is to stay focused on the story you want to tell.
Background Research
1. Inform Your Work
Research is indispensable. It informs your approach and adds layers to the palette of your production. Give yourself the time to enter into the story's historical context, the background of the writers, the events, and the characters depicted in the play. Follow your muse down every rabbit hole. Your research will become an inspiration and provide authenticity to your work.
2. Develop a Strong Vision
Once you've done the research, the next step is to develop a vision for the production. Contemplate themes, mood, and the message of the original writer. This work will blossom into a unique concept and expand as you visualize how the set, costumes, lighting, and sound will support the story you want to tell.
3. Balancing Originality and Respect
Everything you need to succeed is within the script and your vision.
I firmly believe recognizing and respecting the author's original intention is critical to the success of any production while also trusting your instincts. Honoring the author's work and bringing your sensibility to the table is an incredible balancing act that will lead to astonishing results.
And by the way, reproducing another director's work verbatim is plagiaristic unless explicitly permitted. And anyway, recreating someone else's staging, even with authorization, comes with a different set of challenges that I have often found stifling.
"Theater, especially musical theater, is a collaborative endeavor. The success of the venture is about the team." – Betty Buckley
Building Your Creative Team
Collaboration is Key
Theater is inherently collaborative. Assembling the right creative team is essential. Find your kindred spirits, and the journey will be bliss. Conflicts are a given, but passion makes for great theatre. And one of my mottos is "Whoever is the most passionate wins…today."
Your key team members will be a terrific Choreographer who is motivated by the story, an expressive and smart Musical Director, a Stage Manager who will become your right hand, and always challenging and inspired Designers.
Bringing these experts in early and regularly checking in to update the entire team ensures a cohesive and unified show.
Casting is Critical
When I was a young director, I read everything I could get my hands on about the craft and how other directors worked. I was particularly inspired by Harold Prince, Michael Bennett, Trevor Nunn, Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, and my friend and colleague, Susan Stroman. They all agreed that casting is 90% of the job. I quickly learned that was the truth. If you cast well, your role as a director becomes one of guidance rather than micromanagement. It becomes a collaborative effort of shaping a performance within the show's big vision instead of puppeteering every move.
And always look for performers who not only fit the roles but who will work well together. Chemistry among the entire team is vital and can make or break any production.
Leadership and Openness
Once you are in rehearsal, fostering a positive atmosphere is critical. Engage with everyone in the room. Listen because you may discover something new that brings a surprising twist to the work.
Say Yes.
A mentor of mine once told me this secret. If someone suggests something, say yes and try it. So many unusual and exciting things come out of suggestions that, at first, might sound preposterous. Believe me, an artist will know if something isn't working, and they will be the first to want to try something else.
Directing is a balance of leadership and collaboration. You're the sieve through which all ideas pass. While you make the final decisions, staying open to suggestions and other thoughts is vital.
Your aim should be to lead with passion, a collaborative spirit, and strength while avoiding a dictatorial approach. Chart the course, but (if I may paraphrase Kahlil Gibran) allow the creative winds to dance among you and influence the process.
Directing a musical is a rewarding yet challenging endeavor. With careful planning, a collaborative mindset, and a deep understanding of your material, you can create a production that resonates with audiences and honors the art of theater.
See you at the theatre,
James
