The Only Idiot (She/her):

Hi there, I am an upcoming director in my community theatre space. I want to branch out and grow and work with other companies as well, but I don't know where to start. I only started in directing because I knew someone who knew they were desperate for anyone and I was the only idiot to take on a Sondheim show. Is it just networking and who you know? A great resume? Someone seeing my show? How do I break into directing for other companies or even getting a paid directing position?

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Dear The Only Idiot,

How exciting that you got to do Sondheim on your first directing gig! What a great  challenge and, hopefully, joy! 

You say that you got into directing accidentally, but I am wondering how you feel about it now. Clearly, you want to do more, but in your letter, you lead with poo-pooing your experience. You say that people were "desperate" and that you were an “idiot”. I get the self-depracating humor, but I would definitely encourage you to speak to why you ARE a director, why you love directing, and why you want to do more. From this letter, I am not sure! And that would make me reticent to suggest you for a directing gig. You know?

So, my first piece of advice is to reframe the way you think of yourself/talk about yourself! Then, I would say, if you have the access to suggest shows to the theater for which you have been directing, awesome! Then you can continue to get experience and develop your practice and aesthetic, which contributes to a robust resume. Simultaneously, if you are proud of the work you are doing, invite other artists, companies, theaters and professionals to see your shows! Someone can tell me they are a good director at a party, but anyone can do that. It is way more meaningful if they invite me to a show and I can experience their art!

In short, it is not networking or your resume alone. It is directing great work that you are proud of and sharing it with people.

Yours in making great art, 

Fefu 

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