Stage director

A stage director leads the artistic realisation of a theatrical production, interpreting the script, guiding actors' performances, and shaping staging, pacing, and design into a coherent whole. The work runs from solitary preparation and concept development through weeks of rehearsal-room collaboration with the cast and creative team.

Much of the role is live and relational: making real-time decisions, drawing out performances, and resolving the countless practical and interpretive problems a production throws up. Directors usually work freelance, project to project, building a reputation through the work itself.