Deconstructing Directing
Deconstructing Directing is the podcast companion to a content library and paradigm aimed at theatre directors of all experience levels. It focuses especially on directors working in "upstream" environments such as community and educational theatre, where resources and support may be limited. Episodes explore practical approaches, frameworks, and ideas for staging and shaping theatrical work. The show is hosted by Andrew Roblyer and is designed to help directors build their craft and confidence.
Episodes
Act 4, Scene 7: Working with a Dramaturg - Defining the Role and the Relationship
A dramaturg is a fellow guardian of the play. In this scene, we define the boundaries of this essential partnership—from textual research to process observation. We’ll look at how to build a shared collaboration framework that empowers the dramaturg to be a critical partner, ensuring your production remains grounded in structural and cultural reality.To access all of the resources discussed in thi
Act 4, Scene 3: Genre & Style Expectations - How Form Shapes Function
Every production is a social contract between the stage and the audience. This scene breaks down western genres like Farce and Tragedy, while also expanding into global forms and speculative fiction. We examine how style (from Realism to Polyphonic Storytelling) provides the texture that brings these genres to life, helping you navigate audience expectations with intentionality.To access all of th
Act 4, Scene 1: Script Analysis - Why It Matters (and When It Doesn't)
Script analysis isn’t just homework; it is the map you build before you ask an ensemble to follow you into the unknown. In this scene, we move analysis from an academic exercise to a vital leadership tool. You’ll learn how to set surgical goals for your preparation, whether you’re focused on the structural skeleton or the emotional safety of your team, so that your process is grounded in the text’
Act 4, Scene 8: Interpretation in Action - How Staging Choices Shape the Script
In the final scene of Act 4, we examine the "Interpretive Fingerprint" every director leaves on a play. We look at how our visual habits, rhythmic defaults, and personal biases influence the work. By applying Reckless Kindness to our own choices, we learn how to challenge our instincts to ensure the final staging is a true reflection of the script’s heart, not just our own ego.To access
Act 4, Scene 6: Without the Playwright - Navigating Absence with Integrity
How do you steward the work of a writer who isn't in the room? When the author is absent, the director becomes the guardian of the legacy. We discuss how to identify the "gaps" in the text and make interpretive leaps that honor the playwright's intent without the author's direct input. It’s an exercise in high-stakes stewardship and rigorous inquiry.To access all of the resou
Act 4, Scene 5: New Plays with the Playwright - Building Collaborative Relationships
The relationship with a living playwright is one of the most rewarding—and complex—parts of directing. This scene focuses on the "Who Does What" of new play development. Learn how to facilitate a space for revision using surgical feedback and change logs, ensuring that the collaboration remains a shared journey toward the best version of the story.To access all of the resources discussed
Act 4, Scene 4: Stage Directions & Copyright - What Directors Can and Can’t Change
Stage directions sit at the intersection of creativity and law. Here, we address the three critical questions: Is it legal? Is it respectful? Is it necessary? We explore how to balance the playwright's authorial voice with the specific limitations of your production, ensuring your Leadership remains ethical while your Artistic Insight remains sharp.To access all of the resources discussed in t
Act 4, Scene 2: Analyzing Text - Techniques & Lenses
To direct effectively, you must be able to see a script from multiple angles. In this scene, we explore how different analysis techniques and critical lenses (like Feminist, Marxist, or Queer theory) can reveal hidden power dynamics. Learn how to strip away your first impressions to find the underlying elements of the story and provide a more meaningful experience for you and your entire team.To a
Act 3, Scene 8: Charging into Charged Material
In our final scene of Act 3, we navigate the ethics of intimacy, violence, and trauma on stage. Learn to conduct a Content Audit and understand the roles of specialized partners like Intimacy Directors and Mental Health Coordinators. By applying the four pillars of consent, you will learn to build a "Brave Space" where charged stories can be told with integrity, safety, and profound impa
Act 3, Scene 7: Tech Week Tribulations
Enter the "Pressure Cooker" of Tech with a plan for Triage. This scene examines the four major pressure points of the transition to the stage, from incomplete designs to actor overwhelm. Learn to implement "Rituals of Stability" that keep the team grounded when the schedule gets heavy, and discover the final, essential phase of directing: the intentional act of letting go.To ac
Act 3, Scene 6: Rehearsal Room Riddles
Tackle the five "riddles" of the Upstream: lateness, shifting schedules, devices, memorization, and side conversations. This scene replaces top-down rules with collaborative Rules of Engagement, teaching you how to co-create a "container" for the work. Learn how specificity creates clarity and how a lack of shame, especially during memorization, maximizes the vulnerability nece
Act 3, Scene 5: Navigating Neurodivergence & Disability
Shift your perspective from the Medical Model of disability ("fixing" the person) to the Social Model ("fixing" the environment). This scene introduces the habit of Access Needs, providing language to ensure every artist—neurodivergent, disabled, or otherwise—has the "ramps" they need to participate fully. Discover how representation on stage can move from "cripf
Act 3, Scene 4: Casting Conundrums
Examine the subjective myth of the "best actor" and reimagine casting as a complex, ethical puzzle. This scene provides a framework for "drawing the line" regarding representation and marginalized identities, moving past survivorship bias into a practice of Reckless Transparency. Learn to create audition notices that signal your values and build an ensemble based on a shared ar
Act 3, Scene 3: Collaboration vs. Control
Collaboration isn’t the absence of conflict; it’s how you handle the "pinch points" when they arise. This scene helps you distinguish between Communication Failures (which require repair) and Power Struggles (which require boundaries). Learn to invite curiosity into your dialogue, helping you loosen your grip on control while ensuring every member of the team feels heard and aligned.To a
Act 3, Scene 2: Dealing with Disrespect
When conflict or friction pulls at your rehearsal, how do you keep the process moving? This scene examines the physiological reality of being "triggered" as a director and offers the DESC scripting framework to address behavior without sacrificing kindness. Move beyond the fear-based ultimatum and learn to set structural boundaries that protect both the art and the artist.To access all o
Act 3, Scene 1: The Power of Reckless Kindness
Explore a foundational principle of the Deconstructing Directing: Reckless Kindness. This scene breaks down the difference between "niceness" (which avoids conflict) and "kindness" (which uses radical specificity to build trust). Learn to balance a high regard for your collaborators with the necessary risks of leadership, transforming kindness from a soft sentiment into a strat
Act 2, Scene 7: Taking Care of Ourselves
In this final episode of Deconstructing Directing Act 2, we turn the focus inward again to explore how directors can care for themselves amidst the pressures of leadership. Learn practical tools for understanding your nervous system, activating your parasympathetic response, and effectively asking for support. Through stories and insights, this scene emphasizes that taking care of yourself is esse
Act 2, Scene 6: Making Peace with Power
This scene unpacks the complex dynamics of power in the directing process. From understanding the six bases of social power to addressing the fear of coercion, this scene explores how directors can minimize negative impacts while leveraging power for the collective good. Learn actionable strategies to acknowledge power dynamics, set safeguards, and foster a collaborative environment that empowers
Act 2, Scene 5: Developing Taste and Perspective
In this we explore the rarely discussed yet essential aspects of a director's identity: artistic taste and perspective. Drawing parallels between culinary and theatrical "flavors," this scene examines how to define, communicate, and develop your unique artistic preferences. Learn practical techniques to expand your taste, embrace diverse perspectives, and refine your aesthetic compass as a directo
Act 2, Scene 4: Lived Experiences and Identity
In this scene we explore the profound influence of lived experiences and identity on a director's artistry. Learn how understanding your personal and social identities can strengthen your perspective and shape your approach to storytelling. Drawing parallels between theatre and everyday life, this episode encourages directors to embrace their unique experiences, defy societal norms, and bring auth
Act 2, Scene 3: Heroes, Role Models, and Individualization
In this scene we examine how role models shape our identities as directors. Learn how to navigate the influence of mentors through three crucial guardrails: identifying the "who" and "what" of role models, understanding their broader impact, and focusing on the goals behind their behavior. This episode offers practical strategies for avoiding harmful mimicry, fostering self-awareness, and developi
Act 2, Scene 2: Imposter Syndrome and Directing
In this scene, we tackle the pervasive challenge of imposter syndrome in directing. Explore its roots, its surprising psychological benefits, and practical strategies for overcoming self-doubt. Learn how to reframe negative self-talk, redefine your role as a director, and embrace vulnerability to foster growth and collaboration. Designed for community and educational theatre directors, this episod
Act 2, Scene 1: Understanding Our Why
In this scene, we delve into the foundational question: "Why do we direct?” and explore the importance of defining our personal motivations as directors. Learn how understanding your "why" can prevent harm, foster meaningful connections, and guide creative processes. Drawing from concepts like Stanislavski’s Super Objective and Simon Sinek’s methods, this episode offers practical tools to discover
Act 1, Scene 6: Education/Mentorship
Welcome to the grand finale of Act 1: Defining Directing! In this episode we're exploring the vital role of Education and Mentorship in the director's toolkit. Join us as we unravel the distinctions between teaching, mentoring, and supporting team growth, whether you're directing in educational or professional settings. From empowering team members to setting their own learning goals t
Act 1, Scene 5: Management
In this episode, we're delving into Act 1: Defining Directing, focusing on the crucial element of Management. Join us as we explore the dynamic roles of producers, directors, and stage managers in theatre spaces, from educational to professional. Learn how clear communication and role delineation can prevent common production pitfalls. Discover essential managerial tasks spanning pre-productio
Act 1, Scene 4: Artistic Insight & Taste
Welcome back to Deconstructing Directing! In this episode, we dive deeper into the FLAME paradigm, focusing on Artistic Insight and Taste. Discover why traditional concepts like "directorial vision" might be limiting and explore how insight and taste can reshape your approach to directing. Learn about the phases of creativity, from investigation to illumination, and how they can lighten
Act 1, Scene 3: Leadership
In today's episode, we're diving into Act 1, Scene 3: Leadership, the next step in our FLAME paradigm series. We'll explore what makes a great leader, examining various definitions and perspectives from renowned CEOs. You'll learn practical strategies to embody leadership qualities such as humility and supportiveness, and discover how to separate leadership from positional power. A
Act 1, Scene 2: Facilitation
As we continue our exploration of the FLAME paradigm in Act 1: Defining Directing, Scene 2 delves into the crucial role of Facilitation/Translation. Join us as we unpack the director's responsibility in making the collaborative process smoother and more efficient. We'll discuss common industry assumptions, define key terms, and explore how directors can use specificity, curiosity, utility,
Act 1, Scene 1: The F.L.A.M.E. Paradigm
"The FLAME Paradigm," kicks off a deep dive into defining the multifaceted role of a director. Andrew introduces the FLAME framework, which stands for Facilitation/Translation, Leadership, Artistic Insight & Taste, Management, and Education/Mentorship. By exploring each component, you'll gain tools to craft your personal definition of directing and identify your strengths and are
Introducing Deconstructing Directing
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Deconstructing Directing! This series is your comprehensive guide to mastering theatre directing, especially tailored for those navigating community and educational theatre spaces. Discover the essence of "upstream" theatre and why it's vital to the entire theatre ecosystem. Learn about the structure of this resource, covering topics from defining
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