Mondays, March 15 through April 19

Instructor: Samantha Wyer Bello
Prior Experience: Directing for the Stage I or equivalent

In this follow-up to Directing for the Stage, open to new directors looking for more hands on experience, students will further discover their unique approaches to directing. Explore in detail how to direct a clear and insightful project with more in-depth explorations of design and collaboration. Gain more insight into how to actually work as a director while also preparing yourself to get hired. Practical work will include directing a short piece with one or two actors over Zoom, focusing on thematic design ideas and directing beats and choices to create a virtual piece for your portfolio or catalogue.

Samantha Wyer Bello, STC Senior Director of Engagement and Education
Website: SamanthaWyerBello.com
Last Seen Directing: Ada and The Engine by Lauren Gunderson, a staged reading at the National Academy of Sciences for Shakespeare Theatre Company
Directing Highlights: A Moon for the Misbegotten, I Am My Own Wife, Noises Off! and Wetback by Elaine Romero
Why I Teach: “I’m intrigued by the exploration process: to activate creativity and those SPARK moments of truth in the art of storytelling through art.”
What Her Students Say: “In these Directing Classes, STC provides an outstanding platform for actors and other theater artists to see what’s happening on the other side of the director’s table and a foundation should they pursue a journey toward becoming a director. At the same time, taking one or both courses represents a rare opportunity for theatergoers to take a deep dive into what happens to turn a script into a production.”

From the Syllabus:
Week One: Review: What a Director Does

• Preparation and Text Analysis
• Blocking and Staging
• Working with Actors

Week Two: The Script – EVERYBODY, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

• What can you find in a script?
• Text Analysis and Inspiration

Week Three: Understanding the Play and Casting

• Recognizing and defining “beats” in your scene
• The Central Idea in practice

Week Four: Blocking and Staging

• Movement tells a story
• Working with actors

Week Five: Sharing your Scene

• Exploring your scene with others
• Choices for your audience

Week Six: Sharing and  Reflecting

• Share your work
• Next steps for your story