As a stage actor, what do you want and expect from your director?

Question:Can you give me say, 3 things you ALWAYS need from your director, whatever the play, and say 3 things you NEVER want your director to do, whatever the play?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Can you give me say, 3 things you ALWAYS need from your director, whatever the play, and say 3 things you NEVER want your director to do, whatever the play?

I am not an actor, but having sat in many a rehearsal room from the first day of rehearsals, I have observed many very good (and one or two bad) directors at work.

1. The director should know absolutely everything there is to know about the play, from the back stories of the characters, to influences the writers had, to motivation and meaning behind every line.

2. Despite the above, the director should not be stuck on one way of doing the show, but be open to ideas from the actors and allow them to 'play' during rehearsals. That is not to say that the actors will be right in their suggestions, but the director should consider whether an actors suggestion is valid or not (and know the reasons why not!)

3. A director should always be kind and never dictatorial. It does not make for a good working environment.

A director should never be so uncertain that they do not know what they want from the play. If an actor is uncertain about something, they need the director to guide and explain things to them.