Profession stage director

Stage directors oversee and orchestrate the mounting of a performance production by unifying various endeavours and aspects of a theatrical production. They ensure the quality and completeness of the theatrical production and lead the members of the creative team into realising their artistic vision for it. 

Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.

Personality Type

Skills

  • Work with playwrights

    Work with writers through workshops or script development schemes.

  • Cue a performance

    Plan the technical actions and interventions during an artistic performance. Determine when actors go on and off stage. Make sure these cues are followed to ensure a smooth running of the performance.

  • Evaluate art quality

    Correctly evaluate the quality of art objects, artefacts, photographs and documents.

  • Adapt a script

    Adapt a script and, if the play is newly written, work with the writer or collaborate with playwrights.

  • Assemble an artistic team

    Bring together an artistic team, after identifying the needs, looking for candidates, conducting interviews and aligning on the conditions of the project.

  • Read scripts

    Read a playbook or film script, not only as literature, but identifying, actions, emotional states, evolution of characters, situations, different sets and locations, etc.

  • Maintain blocking notes

    Create and update blocking notes recording the position of actors and props in every scene. These notes are shared with the director, technical director and cast.

  • Direct an artistic team

    Lead and instruct a complete team with the required cultural expertise and experience.

  • Analyse a script

    Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.

  • Carry out auditions

    Hold auditions and assess and select candidates for roles in the productions.

Optional knowledge and skills

manage prompt book prompt performers select music for performance ensure visual quality of the set organise rehearsals manage budgets follow time cues

Source: Sisyphus ODB