Overview
This studio-based course examines directing as an interpretive, organizational, relational, and political practice, with particular emphasis on queer, collaborative, and ensemble-centered approaches. Students develop projects from initial concept through research, casting, rehearsal, design collaboration, performance, and evaluation.
Through repeated directing laboratories, ensemble training, peer observation, and production practice, students apply script and score analysis, visual and spatial composition, actor-centered direction, dramaturgical consultation, design communication, sound and movement direction, and audience relationship strategies. The course addresses non-hierarchical collaboration, consent and intimacy practices, accessibility, conflict navigation, rehearsal planning, ethical power relations, and responsible use of time and resources.
Students direct short scenes and a final staged project, supported by rehearsal plans, production journals, peer feedback, and a process portfolio. Comparative study of director-led, devised, collective, and rotating leadership models enables students to evaluate how formal and organizational choices shape meaning, performance, ensemble relationships, and audience experience.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate a coherent directorial vision grounded in dramaturgical, aesthetic, and contextual analysis.
- Analyse scripts, scores, performances, and production materials to identify actionable directing choices.
- Design and implement inclusive, accessible, and ethically responsible rehearsal processes.
- Facilitate ensemble training, improvisation, table work, and collaborative decision-making.
- Direct performers through precise, constructive, and playable notes.
- Collaborate effectively with performers, designers, dramaturgs, technicians, and production personnel.
- Apply consent, intimacy, accessibility, and conflict-navigation practices in rehearsal and performance contexts.
- Evaluate the effects of spatial, visual, sonic, movement, and temporal choices on meaning and audience experience.
- Manage rehearsal schedules, resources, documentation, and production responsibilities with professional consistency.
- Synthesize research, practice, feedback, and reflection in a final staged project and process portfolio.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Lab | 3 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Practicum | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Directing exercises and rehearsal plans (4 × 5%) | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Production journal and process portfolio | 20.00% |
| Tutorial | Peer observation and collaborative facilitation | 10.00% |
| Test | Practical directing test | 15.00% |
| Capstone | Final staged project | 25.00% |
| Assignment | Critical self-evaluation | 10.00% |
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.