Transcript Patterson, Step1 - Emporia State University

Stage Directing the
First Experiences
by Jim Patterson
Step One
SELECTING THE
PLAYSCRIPT
Script selection begins with
script reading
O Read many scripts
O Read scripts with a theatrical eye, as
opposed to a literary critic’s perspective
OVERVIEW
SEVEN AREAS SHOULD BE EXPLORED
Dramatic merit
Director’s personal and intuitive response
Suitability to organization and audience
Resources available for the production
Technical requirements
Availability of actors
Licensing restrictions
GOALS
Evaluate the strengths
and weaknesses of the
script for production
using a checklist
Must be legally available
O Three legal concepts are significant in
determining whether a script can be
produced-1.
Copyright
2.
Fair use
3.
Public domain
Copyright
O Some forms of intellectual property, including
plays, are protected by US and international
copyright laws
O With works that are copyrighted, permission to
perform the play from the author or author’s
agent must be obtained in advance
O Usually, a royalty must be paid
O Directors who alter a copyrighted work without
the author’s permission violate the contract and
put their performing organization at risk
Hands on a Hard Body
Theater fight breaks out:
TUTS forced to cancel
controversial Hands on
a Hardbody after legal
order
Patterson cites an example of a
copyright dispute between the Comedie
Francaise and the estate of Tennessee
Williams
Current productions
Current and recent
Broadway and off-Broadway
successes are usually not
licensed immediately for
amateur production; their
rights are restricted to road
companies, regional
theatres, and other
professional venues. Only
after these demands are
exhausted will the script be
released for school and
community use.
Fair Use
The playscript, or a part of
it may sometimes be used
for educational purposes
in the classroom under the
fair used clause of the
current copyright law.
However, the law is not
specific on fair use instead
court cases have defined
fair use in somewhat
contradictory terms…
Works in the public domain belong to everyone
and are not protected by copyright because
the copyright has expired, the rights have been
forfeited, or they are inapplicable. The works
of Mark Twain, Shakespeare, the King James
Bible in the United States, and early silent
films are, for example, in the public domain.
PLAY SELECTION
CHECKLIST
AT LEAST SEVEN AREAS SHOULD
BE EXPLORED WHEN DECIDING
THE SUITABLITY OF A PLAYSCRIPT
FOR A PARTICULAR PERFORMANCE
SPACE.
1. DOES THE DIRECTOR
CONNECT WITH THE
SCRIPT?
Play selection checklist
2. Do the
scripts
strengths
outweigh its
weaknesses?
3. Is the script suitable for those
that will most likely see it?
4. Are the production circumstances
suitable for the script?
Play selection checklist
5. Can the
script be
successfully
presented in
the intended
space?
6. Can the script
be cast effectively?
Play selection checklist
7. Is the script available
for production?
Assessment
If the answer to any of
these questions is
negative, the best
advice for the director
is to look for another
script.
Web connections for
more…information about theatre in
America
The Dramatists Guild
of America
Company URLS
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Lincoln Center Theatre
The Guthrie Theatre
The Seattle Rep
Publishing Houses
O Dramatic Publishing Company
O Dramatists Play Service
O Electronic texts
O Play database
O Playscripts Inc.
O Samuel French
O Broadway Play Publishing