Collaboration in Theatre A Practical Guide for Designers and Directors

by Roznowski, Rob; Domer, Kirk

• ISBN13: 9780230614208
• ISBN10: 0230614205
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-03-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Finally, a book that addresses one of the most important elements of theatrical production, the collaboration between director and designer. This accessible and helpful guide addresses the crucial relationship between theatrical production team members. Experienced director Rob Roznowski and designer Kirk Domer offer prescriptive and proactive tips to create the ideal production environment. This three part book combines theory, practice, and exercises and will help anyone involved in the theatre to develop appropriate and healthy collaborative skills.Topics Covered Include:* The Vocabulary of Collaboration* Script Analysis* Responses to Criticism* Research Methods

Author Biography

Rob Roznowski is Head of Acting and Directing in the Department of Theatre at Michigan State University.

Kirk Domer is Head of Design and Associate Chair in the Department of Theatre at Michigan State University.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	p. xi
Abstract	p. xiii
Acknowledgments	p. xv
Introduction	p. xvii
Collaboration in Theory
The Vocabulary of Collaboration	p. 3
Shared Vocabulary	p. 3
Getting the Job	p. 5
Adapting Your Style	p. 6
Clarifying Definitions	p. 7
Avoiding Buzzwords	p. 8
Respecting the Chain of Command	p. 8
Respecting Your Fellow Artists	p. 10
Communicating Positively	p. 11
Collaboration Begins...	p. 12
Summary	p. 12
Script Analysis for Collaboration	p. 15
The Director's Process	p. 16
Primary Goals	p. 17
Script Analysis	p. 17
Creating a Premise	p. 18
Creating the Production's Style	p. 20
The Designer's Process	p. 21
Preparing for Production Meetings	p. 22
Identifying Collaboration Obstacles	p. 23
Adjusting to a New Process	p. 24
Using the Premise Creatively	p. 24
Research Methods for Collaboration	p. 27
Refining Internet Research	p. 27
Distilling Further Research	p. 28
Sharing Research	p. 29
Researching as a Director	p. 29
Researching as a Designer	p. 31
Recycling Research	p. 31
Further Research	p. 32
Balancing Research	p. 33
Implementing Research	p. 35
Presenting the Collaboration	p. 37
Initial Presentations of Designs	p. 37
Solving Issues	p. 40
Director's Response	p. 41
Production Meetings	p. 42
Maintaining Cohesion	p. 42
Presenting II and III	p. 43
Presenting to the Actors	p. 44
Transforming Ideas	p. 44
Revising the Collaboration	p. 45
Negative Reactions	p. 45
Overcoming Negativity	p. 46
Collaboration Outside of Full Meetings	p. 49
Prioritizing Issues	p. 50
Maintaining the Chain of Command	p. 52
Altering the Design	p. 52
Director Revisions	p. 53
Editing and Shaping the Style	p. 53
Final Approval	p. 54
Collaboration through Rehearsal	p. 55
Changes through Rehearsal	p. 55
Collaboration through Rehearsal	p. 55
Clarity in Communication	p. 57
Actors in the Design Process	p. 58
Actors' Influence	p. 59
Issues in Design Construction	p. 61
The Lighting Designer in Rehearsals	p. 61
Production Meetings through Rehearsals	p. 62
Effective Technical Rehearsals	p. 63
Setting Agendas	p. 64
Director's Notes during Technical Rehearsals	p. 65
Maintaining Respect	p. 66
Opening Night	p. 67
The Collaboration, Post Mortem	p. 69
Defining Success	p. 69
Reviewing the Review	p. 70
Peer Review	p. 72
Personal Review	p. 72
Individual Review	p. 72
Team Review	p. 73
Personal Goals	p. 74
Healthy Collaboration	p. 75
Collaboration in Practice
Preparing for The Life	p. 79
Selecting the Show	p. 79
Selecting for a Specific Audience	p. 81
Director's Preparation	p. 82
Finding the Premise	p. 82
Personal History and Collaboration	p. 84
Making Decisions Pre-collaboration	p. 85
The Life in Design	p. 91
The First Production Meeting	p. 91
Further Research	p. 95
Finding Balance in the Team	p. 97
Specific Issues	p. 100
Reactions and Revisions	p. 102
Inspiring Collaboration	p. 103
Expanding Designs	p. 104
The Life in Rehearsal	p. 107
Vocabulary Issues	p. 109
Auditions	p. 109
Casting and Costume	p. 109
Designers at Rehearsals	p. 110
Challenges	p. 113
Choreography Complications	p. 113
Realizing the Design	p. 114
Changes through Rehearsal	p. 114
Technical Rehearsals	p. 116
Problem Areas	p. 116
Successes	p. 117
The Life in Review	p. 119
Reflections	p. 119
Response from Collaborators	p. 121
Reviews	p. 123
Post Mortem	p. 124
The Life in Pictures	p. 131
Collaboration in the Classroom
Preparing the Collaborative Class	p. 137
Theory in the Classroom	p. 137
Preparing the Course	p. 138
Needs of the Students	p. 139
Self-examination	p. 140
Expanding the Class	p. 141
Selecting Scripts	p. 141
Organizing the Projects	p. 143
Sample Syllabus	p. 146
Exercise: Cooperation versus Collaboration	p. 148
Collaborative Studio	p. 153
Project #1: Machinal	p. 153
Project #2: Amadeus	p. 158
Project #3: Sweet Charity	p. 158
Student Responses	p. 164
Collaboration in Life	p. 171
Reflections	p. 171
Approaching New Students	p. 172
Evolution of the Class	p. 173
Collaboration beyond Theatre	p. 173
Final Thoughts	p. 174
Bibliography	p. 175
Index	p. 179
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