Deconstructing Directing - Summer 2022 Class
Things people have said when I ask them why they haven’t tried directing:
“I just don’t know enough”
“I just don’t think I’d be good at it”
“I’m really wanting to focus on my acting”
“Oh I’m not smart enough to be a director”
Directing is not mutually exclusive with other forms of performing arts. In fact, it can kind of supercharge them! Actors, writers, designers, those who haven’t done any of it, if you have ever thought about wanting to direct and weren’t sure how to start, I am looking to enroll a class of 5-6 artists for a tuition free summer course taking place in Houston, TX.
THE WHAT
Something is broken in the field of directing. I have been directing for nearly 15 years at this point, and I work with artists all the time who have had negative experiences with directors that still impact their artistic selves to that day. I think the way that we train (or don’t train) directors in theatre is flawed, from community theatre to college, to graduate programs. Significantly. And I believe it can be fixed, by shifting the lens through which we see directing.
Sooooooo…in order to put this theory to the test, I need to actually teach it. Which is where you come in! I want to offer a TUITION FREE course this summer to 5-6 artists in the Houston area that want to learn theatrical directing from the ground up. No prior knowledge necessary, though basic familiarity with theatrical terminology will be very helpful. I want to take you through a new way of approaching directing that I think has the potential to change your thinking about theatre in a number of wonderful ways.
THE WHEN
Class would start in mid June, running through the end of August, with 2-3 class meetings a week, depending on the length of each class meeting. Exact days and times will be set based on the availability of the participants, but having 3 evenings a week free for an hour or two will likely be necessary. The class will conclude in a 10 minute play festival, with 1-2 10 minute plays directed by all of the participants.
THE HOW MUCH
Tuition free. Meaning that I am charging nothing for my time or teaching. You’re helping me by giving me an opportunity to teach you, I’m happy to exchange what knowledge and experience I have in return!
What I ask is that for in-person classes (which there will need to be likely at least 1x week), we split the cost of space. So if we can find a space to use for free, great. If not and we need to rent space from Garza Studios or another facility, then we’ll split the cost. Additionally, it will be expected that you offer a small stipend to each person that agrees to be part of your work you direct for the class. But beyond those expenses there are no required costs for the class. Tuition free.
THE APPLICATION
So, you in? I know it’s a crazy-sounding idea, but I think that’s why it’s worth doing. It’s radical and different and takes up space, and I want six dynamic artists to come with me on this crazy journey. First, if you want to get to know me a bit more and what I bring to the table, check out my introduction below. Second, please know that I want this cohort of folks to be diverse and celebrate their differences.
To apply, fill out the following form. Please note that you will be asked to upload a resume.
Depending on the number of applicants, the process will shift a bit.
If there are more than 15 applicants, the extended application timeline/process is as follows:
Stage 1: Applications accepted until May 27 at 11:59pm.
Stage 2: Notification of Stage 2 status sent by May 31 at 11:59pm. Applicants will be asked to make a short video introduction and respond to a prompt or two, to be submitted by June 4th at 11:59pm.
Stage 3: Notification of Stage 3 status sent by Jun 6 at 11:59pm. Applicants will be asked to interview with me to ensure fit.
If there are fewer than around 15 applicants, the process may be truncated a bit. I’ll notify all applicants by June 1 with an update on the process and timeline.
About the Instructor
Taken 9 years ago by the wonderful Alan Bryant. I’ve put on weight and have more grey hair, but I love this photo of me because it’s how I feel every time I get to direct.
Y’all. I LOVE Directing. LOVE IT. It is the thing that gets me out of bed the easiest in the morning. To get to help a group of people come together to tell a story that changes them and the people who get to be the audience? How cool is that job??
My name is Andrew Roblyer (they/he/she) and I’m a white, non-binary, queer, neurodivergent storyteller currently living in Houston, TX. My preferred storytelling medium is definitively the theatre, and my favorite role to take is that of director, but I have done a lot of different jobs for different productions, from acting to lighting design, sound design, set design, projection design, even costume design a couple of times. I’ve stage managed (god bless skilled stage managers), produced, done marketing, and so many other things.
I’ve been actively engaging with and doing theatre since I was too young to remember. But one of my earliest memories is sitting in the church pew watching the youth Christmas musical and wanting to know when I got to do that. For most of my life, I thought I wanted to be an actor, and I was a pretty darn good actor by the time I graduated college. But then I couldn’t get work, because I looked much younger than I was….and I was pretty young to begin with. So I decided to take the words of my college faculty and many other wise artists and “stop waiting for permission” to just do the work I wanted to do.
So I started the first professional theatre company in Bryan/College Station, and I learned a LOT from running that company for 5 years until it closed in 2018. I produced and directed a good number of high quality theatrical works in borrowed spaces and a converted garage (our poor audiences in the summer). It wasn’t my first exposure to directing,, but it was the most significant, because it was here that I learned the truths about truly effective and beautiful directing that drive this new way of thinking about the field.
I have directed immersive theatre, I’ve directed devised theatre, I’ve directed one-person casts and I’ve directed 50 person casts. I’ve done musicals and straight plays, classcial plays and absurdist ones. I LOVE working with playwrights and designers along with actors. I pride myself on fostering an environment where every artist can feel safe enough to bring their full selves to the table for the project. It is inevitably stronger for it.
If you want to see pictures of my work, feel free to view my portfolio HERE.