Advice from Theater Professionals

“As an actor, what attracts me most to a character in a play is his journey throughout the course of the story. In other words, how does the character transform from the beginning of the play to the end? What life altering changes does he undergo? Perhaps he is a coward who through a series of trials become a hero, or a misguided soul who eventually finds redemption or salvation, or a basically good man who through temptation succumbs to the darker side of his nature. These are all dynamic character arcs, any one of which, if the play were well written, would interest me as an actor. The more extreme the journey, the richer the character and, hence, the more interesting and challenging the part.”

“Producers are responsible for the financial support of a play. Broadway is filled with plays and musicals that require exorbitant financial support for the massive sets, costumes, orchestras, extras, special effects and large number of actors. While these plays are beautiful to watch and exciting to experience, the truth is that this country is mostly made of small theatres who do not have millions of dollars to produce theatre. Therefore, most producers are looking for good, solid stories that will reach their audiences without need for lots of money. There are so many brilliant playwrights who concentrate on well-developed characters with something important to say.”

“As a Lighting Designer, I look at the script in a few different ways. The first time I read a script I read it for enjoyment, like a book. The second time I look closer for things like mood, where the world of the script is taking place, time, time-line in history, is it real or not, try to get a hold of the environment of the world of the play. Each time after that, I read the script and I find the rhythm and the beat of the script. I then incorporate all of the direction and ideas from the director and production team and design an environment for that world.”

“The Director is the one who possesses the vision or concept of a play. As a director, I look for look playwrights who possess an overwhelming desire to tell a story through well-developed characters involved in conflict. Even though dialogue is very important to the story, I understand characters through their actions.actions speak louder than words. Are the characters the same at the beginning of the story as they are at the end? If not, what actions or stimuli do they experience to make them change? None of us are the same today as were a year ago. The same holds true for characters in a play. They must evolve. What are your observations about life that motivates your storytelling? I also look for playwrights who write about what they know. This adds a truth to the writing and if truth is the spine, then the play will unfold gradually and the consequences, successes, and failures of the characters will be easy to identify.”

”As a dramaturg, it's my job to help select plays for our season. Once we have our plays, I provide research to the director, designers and actors to help them expand or support their ideas about the play. I also work with new playwrights to help shape their plays. What I most pay attention to when reading a play are my feelings toward the characters and their situation(s). If a play makes me ask, Why is she or he like that? or I wonder what she or he is going to do? then I know I'll keep reading. I want to have a reason to continue reading. Some of the best plays I've read are about average people in unusual situations. What intrigues me in these plays is watching how these characters get into the situations to begin with and how they get themselves out. Upon completing the reading I ask, Do I still care about this character and this situation?. If I answer yes then I know it's a good play. ”

“My favorite plays are character/relationship driven. My friends often call these plays where nothing happens. But I believe the most interesting things happen to humans in their quiet, unassuming moments. If a play can capture that it excites me.I like humor in a play as well, but the type that occurs in unexpected, even tragic, situations, that take us by surprise is my favorite. This is probably why Tennessee Williams is my favorite playwright. ”