Understanding a Director's Concept

A Director's Concept is the guiding statement that the director uses to guide the production. The director must take into account what CONCEPTS s/he wants to highlight through the use of stylistic devices throughout the show. 

To create a DIRECTOR'S CONCEPT you must think about your BIG IDEAS & INTENTION (What you want to say about that big idea). What do you want to emphasize in this piece?  After this, you need to think about what CHOICES you can make to make your intention clear. 

Director's Concept: 
1) BIG IDEA
2) INTENTION (WHAT)
3) Directorial Choices (HOW)

For example...

In Seedfolks, I wanted to emphasize how we are inherently interconnected, and by focusing on this it can bring us together and improve our community and relationships.  I wanted to do this by emphasizing moments of interconnected and disconnectedness. 

Seedfolks, courtesy of Susan Butler 

Seedfolks, courtesy of Susan Butler

In Shrek, I wanted to emphasize what makes us different, makes us stronger. I chose to use contrast of organic lines and bright colors to contrast strong linear images and artificial, plastic materials.  

Duloc Dancers & Lord Farquaad, Shrek

In Shuddersome, I wanted to create a strong mood that heighten the audiences' awareness of the senses through use Day of the Dead imagery, light/shadow, sound and color choice. 

Shuddersome, 2015, Courtesy of Emily Grimes

Use of Black & Red to unify--Shuddersome, 2015, courtesy of Emily Grimes

In A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Marianne Elliott wanted to show how Christopher's autism affects their perception of the world, which was emphasized through grids and linear imagery and gray-scale color scheme. Christopher’s discomfort was emphasized through harsh lighting, sound and movement.

Luke Treadaway and Seán Gleeson. Photo by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg Courtesy of: Nationaltheatre.org.uk

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, courtesy of ayoungertheatre.com

In Another Brick in the Wall, I wanted to show that we build up walls when we judge people without knowing them fully, which is emphasized through the use of wall/brick imagery and a distinct color scheme of red, white and black, which was integrated into set and costume design.

Rehearsal--Breaking the Wall--Courtesy of Emily Grimes