create space

I had the privilege of hearing writer/director Craig Lucas speak last night at Atlantic Acting School. He said so many inspiring words that I really absorbed and can actually use today, tomorrow, and five years from now. One of my favorite things is to hear smart, creative, people talk about what they have learned in a non-intimidating way.

There are four things that will halt your productivity.
-other people's opinions, the past, drama, worry.

As a director, your job is to create space for actors to arrive at the right decision instead of telling them exactly what to do.

If you think you know something, you can't learn it.

People come to the theatre to see the mess of life. Color, behavior. When they leave, you don't necessarily want them talking about the beautiful sets or costumes, you want them thinking about how they connected their own life to what they just saw.

Surround yourself by talented people just starting out. Don't go after the big names just because they are big names.