Drupal Web Development
What the Web Developer Learned from the Stage Director
My wife is known by myself and friends as someone who’s excellent at managing projects.
Her ability to start from nothing but a goal and produce real results with many moving parts always impresses me.
Her secret is that she approaches projects with the perspective and skills she developed in theatre while producing and directing stage plays in college and later managing a cast of a hundred in professional theatre.
I wanted to learn more about her process so I asked her to describe to me how to produce and direct a stage play.
The following is what this web developer learned from the stage play director, and how to apply her methods to any good development process.
Directing a Stage Play (In Brief)
Read the script over four or five times
Before anything, become very familiar with the script until you know it inside and out.
Start at act one - scene one
- Work through the script and make notes on what’s needed to produce each scene.
- Research parts of the script as needed, such as time period or subject matter.
- Define elements such as blocking, set design, ect.
Rehearse early
After casting, begin rehearsals early.
- Start with a sit down to do read-throughs and discuss the characters.
- Later progress to the stage.
- Refine elements of each scene over time.
- Provide notes to actors on specific changes or areas for improvement.
Meet separately with other departments/crew
Schedule miscellaneous meetings and discussions with set designers, sound, costume design, and any other parties that support the overall production.
Communicate the vision for the play and get their feedback on ways to make it happen.
Check List for Upgrading from Drupal 5 to Drupal 6
2010-02-05T22:04:52Z
