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Losing Control

By Dr. Kirk Buis 

Dr. Kirk Buis has taught high school Language Arts and Theatre for many years.  He also co-founded and ran a community theatre, The New London Theatre, in Snellville, Georgia. 

One of the best decisions I ever made in educational theatre was to lose control.

Of course I’m referring to stepping back from directing every show myself and instead allowing students the opportunity to direct.  This is a risk for any theatre teacher, but the advantages far outweigh the concerns, and witnessing first-hand the growth of your students makes the choice a risk worth taking.  I was never disappointed in their effort or results, and though the shows would have been different had I directed, they would not necessarily have been better.

There are several steps to take in developing a directing opportunity for your students.

Clear plans with your administration

At my high school, students generally took a year of an introductory class and then had the option to continue into Acting I, audition for a role in a production class, or move into a stagecraft class.  When I first had the idea of student directors in the beginning acting classes, I approached the school’s administration to explain what I wanted to do.  Fortunately, they were receptive to the idea of fostering students’ directing and leadership abilities, and they created a separate class for the student directors that would meet at the same time as the beginning acting classes.  This allowed student directors to work with small groups of actors on multiple scenes each semester.  It also gave me the opportunity to notice which student directors were capable of handling a full production.  I’m sure that you could name several students also mature enough to direct a full production after being given small-step opportunities.

At the end of every year, the beginning acting classes produced a children’s show that we performed for neighboring elementary schools.  From the student directors, I would choose one director to direct the children’s show, and I can honestly say I was never unhappy with the result.

However, directing a full production is a horse of a different color.

Insist that your students fill out a directing application

When considering students to direct a full production, I almost always allow them to select the play they’re interested in directing, rather than picking the play myself.  This guarantees they are invested in the choice and ensures they know the play and its worth.  The first step would be to apply formally for the opportunity to direct, answering the following:

1. Explain why you are interested in directing.
2. List your previous theatre experience.  Include acting, backstage tech and/or crew, and any directing experience.
3. Describe the qualities you possess that would make you a good director.
4. Directing takes an exceptional amount of time.  Explain any possible conflicts/commitments that you will have during production.
5. One problem student directors may encounter is dealing with their peers on a director-actor level.  How will you be able to direct your peers without being either condescending or overbearing?  Will you be open to students not currently in drama?
6. How will you promote your show?
7. Explain why you chose the play you want to direct, and why it deserves to be produced.
8. Do you have anything else to add as to why you should have the opportunity to direct?

You probably have other specific questions for your students to answer, but by the time they are actually applying to direct, you already know their strengths and weaknesses.  But by having a formal application process, you can easily demonstrate the transparency of your selection(s).

Maintain regular procedures

Once you’ve given a student the green light, conduct everything else the same as other productions, including auditions, rehearsals, and shows.  Check in regularly (and privately) with both the director and others involved to head off any problems before they become problems.

Ultimately, you are still in charge of the production (perhaps using the moniker of “producer”), and in an extreme case, you can still replace a student director.

However, if you truly want your students to grow, then offering them the chance to direct either a one-act or a full-length show and “losing control” is an educational challenge that benefits everyone.