by Ted Sherman

Created on: May 28, 2008

The quick answer is: take advantage of every opportunity to get multiple experiences in the theater as you can find. I'm sure you've heard the old joke. A tourist in New York City asks a native how to get to Carnegie Hall. The one-word answer is: practice! That's also the magic word for anyone who wants to become a theater director. Practice, practice, practice!

If you're a young teen, get yourself involved in high school plays. If you're not asked to direct, take any job you can get that contributes to the production of the play, musical or concert. It could be scut work, such as messenger, floor sweeper, costume maker or curtain puller. Whatever your job, keep your eyes and ears open so you'll be on your way of learning everything about the theater, and how your career plans fit in with it.

When you have the time, also get involved in community theater, and take on any job you can get at first. If you have the smarts and leadership ability, you'll soon be doing something in the director's discipline. Between semesters of high school, if you have the money to travel, seek out opportunities to join summer stock companies. The pay will likely be very low or none at all, but the experience with a professional troupe will be invaluable in your determination to become and theater director.

As in high school and community theater, you'll have do do work much less dignified than directing, but you'll have the opportunity to observe and work with pros in action. Another important aspect of your yearning to become a theater director is that you must be a take charge guy or gal. If you're a follower or shrinking violet, directing isn't for you. Learn that fact soon in your career, and if you take honest stock of your personality, talent and ability to handle actors, and you still realistically believe you can do the job, then go on to the next step. If not, its time to consider another line of work.

Orson Welles performed and directed the infamous "War of the Worlds" radio show at 22, and moved up to cinema greatness by doing the same on screen in "Citizen Kane" at age 25. Ron Howard directed several episodes of his TV hit, "Happy Days" at 21, and his first film, "Grand Theft Auto" at 23. However, unless you're a genuine young genius with similar talent and are already in demand in professional show business, the best route to the director's chair after high school is finding a college or university with a good theater school that offers studies in theater directing.

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