A few months ago I was asked to be a case study for the Stage Jobs Pro website and bless them they have published it... Below are the questions they asked and what I answered...
| Question 1: What is the most rewarding aspect of working as a Director? |
| Bringing a wide range of people together to work on a unified project. I work a lot in the community and I work along side professionals and non-professionals giving them a voice. I love telling stories and this role enables me to do just that. |
| Question 2: What are the key skills required to be an effective Director? |
| Empathy; leadership; to be able to listen (LOTS); to see the bigger picture; to be able to negotiate; to have creative solutions to complex issues; Originality; Inspiring and passionate; Trust and faith in his or hers crew’s abilities and talents; Previous experience as director and other roles in production; Objectively open to other people’s ideas/points of view but absolutely, unwaveringly certain of their own; Tactful; gives criticism in a constructive way; Fun to work with; Focused on the project; not easily distracted; Always has a good few more projects ready to go when this one is finished... |
| Question 3: Do you see your role as a natural step on a career ladder, and if so what is the next rung? |
| In my experience the role of director does not have a natural linear 'ladder' - it is about navigating your way through work experience, networking and grabbing oppertunites when they arise. I am currently balancing my community work with more professional directing. This means I am needing to get myself recognised in different circles... |
| Question 4: How did you work your way into your current role? |
| I took a quite conventional route; I graduated from Leeds University in 2001 with a First Class Honours Degree in Dramaturgy and went on to work for Dacorum Borough Council as an Arts Education Officer. I then became the Projects Manager at the Hackney based Immediate Theatre in 2003 after which I managed the BAFTA awarded ‘L8R’ project in 2007. Since returning as the Associate Director at Immediate Theatre in 2008 I have headed up the development of the Education Team and deputises the Artistic Director in developing and sustaining the company. Alongside this rather conventional route, I have a varied freelance career where I work with circus performers, new writers, radio and site specific projects. This balance give me such a buzz; a balance between participatory theatre and theatre direction... |
| Question 5: How much do you think networking helps towards landing a job in the industry? |
| Some of the biggest successes I have had have happened as a result of relationships that started simply because of chance encounters with new people who were met unexpectedly along the way. Regardless of the situation, rubbing elbows at an industry event, or worse, waiting for hours for a delayed flight, these unexpected meetings. In short networking and marketing yourself (however much I hate it) works! |
| Question 6: Do you think you will be working in the industry in the next five years, and if so in what capacity? |
| I will definitely be in the industry in the next 5 years. My plan is to continue to tell stories work with writers and designers to create inspiring, significant and provocative theatre. I am excited at exploring what theatre has to offer the world in the next 5 years. |
| Question 7: Please describe what a typical day working as a Director might contain? |
| Is there ever a typical day? One day I am working with young people who have been excluded from school enabling them to tell their stories to their teachers to another day where I am in a meeting with a writer looking at rewriting scripts - to a day where I am in the rehearsal room with actors... The list goes on! |
| Question 8: Have you done any additional training courses to further your career? |
| I am part of the Young Vic Genesis Network. Since 2003 the Genesis Foundation has made a substantial commitment to the Director’s Program and their support currently focuses on the Genesis Directors Network and the Genesis Fellowship. I have been part of the Network for 3 years now and have access some amazing workshops and opportunities. |
| Question 9: How important is working for free at the beginning of your career? |
| I wouldn't say it was critically important to work for free; if you are able to work for money then all the better. What is important, like with any job, is to gain experience - lots of it... Learn from people you respect. Learn from directors who are different to you, learn from networks...just keep learning... |
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