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Question: What role does a director play after opening night!?
Hi! I'm currently doing a bit of research for my next novel!. The main character is a director!. I was curious, what role does a director play after opening night!? For example, say the play goes on tour!. I know this might sound obvious, but does the director have the actors/actresses rehearse the play!? Does he/she comment on the performance, and make suggestions for what to do next time!? Thank you so much!!Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Once the play opens and his direction is no longer needed, The director leaves the play in the hands of the stage manager, and goes off to his next project!. He may come back from time to time to make sure the actors have not "improved" their performances too much!. A joke referring to the fact that actors do sometimes change what they are doing with their roles after the play opens!. A no no in the directors' eyes!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well I've never been in any plays that went on tour, but I do know for sure that the director makes comments on the performance and suggestions on how to improve for next time!. I mean, a show can never be absolutely perfect, so it's the director's job to make that imperfection well-known to the performers!. A director must be very observant and make sure that everyone is using good dictation, utilizing the lighting well, interacting with the audience and fellow actors, etc!. If there's enough time before the tour and the director really wants to, I'm sure he/she'd want to get rehearsal in, at least for some of the weaker scenes!. However, the director's biggest job after opening night is to keep his/her actor's and staff motivated and enthusiastic!. A good director knows that if enthusiasm dies after opening night, the show will die, so he/she has to keep it alive!.

Good luck with your novel!Www@QuestionHome@Com

In some respects, most especially in small venues the Director MIGHT be asked to stay on, or return for a first performance or closing curtain at least, but the Production staff, being SM's, ASM's, and other technical staff will/better carry on!.

In many cases a Company, will have an A!.D!. most especially in a touring sense, but very honestly DIRECTION is OVER by the first curtain!. From then on a Director is neither obligated, nor very likely ATTACHED!. I answer Director questions on occasion, and say this!. A Director,,,up to a point is GOD!. In that analogy and with no disrespect, you might assume that even "GOD" crafted Adam, Eve, and the garden of Eden, then left them to their own devices!. In fact I long ago wrote a play script that could have taken 5 minutes of narration, in what may have been titled, "The Beginning"
IF a MUSICAL, once the work goes to opening night, The CONDUCTER becomes the GOD!.
In most cases a director is contracted, not chained to the company stove, has very strict notions of timetables, not only for a production, but for others THEY have pending!.
Might they comment of a performance in a printed program!? It would be most proper for the company to make that happen!. Will a director advise,,,as a GOD until first curtain, you can bet your last Dollar on it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I am actually in a production right now!.!.!.

our director (when she decides to come to the show)
kinda plays a mediator!.!.she'll come back and relay notes or
comments from the audience to us!.!.!.

and other than that!.!.!.she shows up after the show to get drunk with the castWww@QuestionHome@Com

The director is done after opening night!. He hands off the play to the stage manager, who has made copious notes hopefully, to keep the play on track!.Www@QuestionHome@Com