Notes from the Rehearsal Room
A Director's Process
Published on 9. February 2023
Book
Hardback
168 pages
978-1-350-28221-6 (ISBN)
Description
Renowned theatre and film director Nancy Meckler delves into her hugely varied experiences in the rehearsal room and shares examples of tried-and-tested "tools" to bring a play to life.
Meckler encourages you to interrogate, play, experiment and to use her methods as a starting point to begin creating your own unique directing toolkit and finding your own style.
The examples are drawn from her experience directing a range of work from classic plays, including work by Chekhov, Brecht and Shakespeare, to new writing, including work by Pam Gems and Sam Shepard, and in a wide range of renowned theatres, including the RSC, National Theatre, Royal Court and a number of the UK's regional theatres.
The author's approachable and relatable writing style enables an in-depth look into how she works with actors and the many ways in which she may approach a new project while also providing with a unique insight into her own wealth of experience over a remarkable career as an award-winning and internationally celebrated director.
Meckler encourages you to interrogate, play, experiment and to use her methods as a starting point to begin creating your own unique directing toolkit and finding your own style.
The examples are drawn from her experience directing a range of work from classic plays, including work by Chekhov, Brecht and Shakespeare, to new writing, including work by Pam Gems and Sam Shepard, and in a wide range of renowned theatres, including the RSC, National Theatre, Royal Court and a number of the UK's regional theatres.
The author's approachable and relatable writing style enables an in-depth look into how she works with actors and the many ways in which she may approach a new project while also providing with a unique insight into her own wealth of experience over a remarkable career as an award-winning and internationally celebrated director.
Reviews / Votes
The book is a delightful meander through the director's career, is anecdotal and informative, and truly captures the heart of her rehearsal rooms. For aspirant directors, there's a wealth of wisdom in its pages. * Broadway World * Ever wondered what happens on the other side of that door with the sign warning, "Rehearsals in process. Do Not Enter." Well, master director Nancy Meckler graciously opens this door and invites you into her remarkable process. She brings this often mysterious endeavor refreshingly back down to earth while still inspiring all of us to shoot for the moon. A must-read for anyone who loves theatre and how we go about making it. * Brian H. Kulick, Chair of the Theatre Program, Columbia University School of the Arts, USA * A fascinating read, in which the link between writer, director and the performer(s) is explored through a mix of memoir and workshop exercises ... this book is not just an essential read on this particular director's career experiences, but also a primer on teamwork and how everyone works to make a show a success. * Loureviews * There's a lot that a director or adaptor (or potential one) could learn from this. * Ink Pellet *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 209 mm
Width: 132 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
279 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-28221-6 (9781350282216)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Nancy Meckler is an award-winning theatre director. Having grown up in Long Island, she moved to the UK to train in classical acting at LAMDA. In 1969, she set up and ran The Freehold Theatre Company, one of the main alternative theatre companies to emerge in London at the time. She was the first woman to direct at the National Theatre and was the Artistic Director of Shared Experience for 22 years. As a freelancer she has directed for the RSC, NT, Hampstead, Royal Court, West End, Broadway and Shakespeare's Globe, among many others, and worked regularly with playwright Sam Shepard, directing many of his premieres.
Content
Introduction
Chapter 1: Preparation
Chapter 2: The Concept
Chapter 3: Keystones
Chapter 4: Improvisation
Chapter 5: Rehearsal Process
Chapter 6: The Mystery of Comedy
Chapter 7: Collaboration
Chapter 8: Discovering Physical Theatre and Working in Different Mediums
Epilogue
Index
Chapter 1: Preparation
Chapter 2: The Concept
Chapter 3: Keystones
Chapter 4: Improvisation
Chapter 5: Rehearsal Process
Chapter 6: The Mystery of Comedy
Chapter 7: Collaboration
Chapter 8: Discovering Physical Theatre and Working in Different Mediums
Epilogue
Index