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Directors on Directing

We had a fantastic turnout for Monday night’s panel discussion presented in association with DirectorsLabChicago. The event kicked off a week of workshops and presentations for directors from around the globe, but we were pleased that not only directors came out to hear the discussion. Over 150 theater-goers and general arts patrons were also interested to hear some of the city’s most prominent directors share stories of their professional lives.

Some provocative questions came from the moderator, Mark Sutton, and the directors (Ron OJ Parsons, Mick Napier, Henry Godinez, John Sparks, and Charlie Newell) offered insightful comments and moving anecdotes.

Mark Sutton, Ron OJ Parson and Mick Napier
Photo by Anita Evans

Henry Godinez, John Sparks and Charlie Newell
Photo by Anita Evans

Questions ranged from “How do you prepare to start a new project, do you have any rituals?” “Is it more difficult to take on an established script [like “Our Town"] or to put up a completely new work?” “How are you affected by the notion of authority?” “Do you lay ground rules down at the start of a rehearsal process?” “What kind of work excites you right now?” and finally, “Name one memorable movement from your experience as a theater-goer.”

The answers ranged from poignant (Henry Godinez recounted his incredible experience directing Luiz Valdez’s “Zoot Suit” at the Goodman with Valdez’s brother in a lead role) to humorous (Mick Napier admitted he goes into rehearsals with a carefully conceived methodology, but then makes it appear as though he’s made it up on the spot for the benefit of the improv actors with whom he works). Overall, the night was very engaging and we look forward to hosting another free public program in association with DirectorsLabChicago 2010.