“It fits the training for students at the undergraduate level and addresses some very practical issues not found in other texts.” — Keith White, Lewis University

“Patterson’s text is an excellent resource for first-time directors. His explorations of textual analysis and interpretation are sound. It is very valuable to have common texts in the volume for shared analysis. Also sound are his recommendations for directing strategies and behaviors. All of my students have responded favorably to the text and affirm it will long be on their bookshelves. I will be using it for years to come.” — Shawn J. Clerkin, Gannon University

“Excellent. Simple, direct, and affordable text for the first-time director.” — Cynthia Allan, Pittsburg State University

“An excellent introductory text with useful exercises and clear explanations of the who, what, when, and where of stage directing.” — Ed Simone, St. Bonaventure University

“This is a great text. The fundamentals are clearly explained and well presented. Provides a satisfactory launching pad for class discussions.” Luda Popenhagen, California State University, Channel Islands

“This new edition is much better! With new photos and a general redesign, it is geared for students to gain knowledge of the craft of directing. I love it!” — Ansley Valentine, Northern Michigan University

“This concise text is clearly and thoughtfully laid out, making it readily helpful in preparing the beginning director.” — Andrew Gaupp, University of Texas, Arlington

“Stage Directing is an amazing director’s manual that isn’t rigid and didactic but accessible and clear. Patterson’s basic principles provide working techniques for the realization of the values of a play on stage. The book presents a true method of how to approach the staging of plays. It is not just an outline of basic principles but also gives insight into the art of directing.” — James Taylor, Rhode Island College

“Good theory and practical exercises make first directing experiences for my students a pleasurable learning exercise.” — Rodney Whatley, Pensacola State College

“Eschewing high-flown aesthetic theorizing, Patterson presents in sensible order the basic skills that any director must practice (and eventually master) in order to get a play satisfactorily onto the stage. Admitting readily that there is much more that a director must learn in order to be fully competent, Patterson answers the challenge many beginning students present: ‘Don’t give me theory, tell me what to do!’” — Southern Theatre

Overview: The Directing Process
Director as Manager / Director as Artist

1. Selecting the Playscript
Objectives / Basics / The Playscript Must Be Legally Available for Production / Play Selection Checklist / New Plays

2. Analyzing and Researching the Playscript
Objectives / Basics / Impact, Meaning, Personality / Structure / Acts, Units, and Beats / Objectives—The Why / Character Traits / Meaning

3. Conceiving the Production
Objectives / Basics / Stage Configurations / Directorial Approaches / The World of the Play / The Ground Plan: Helping the Audience to See / What the Audience Hears

4. Casting: The Ideal and the Real
Objectives / Basics / Cast for Character Qualities / Cast the Willing, Courteous, and Cooperative / Audition Procedures / Audition Etiquette / Casting Checklist

5. Rehearsing: Staging and Shaping the Action
Objectives / Basics / The Proscenium Stage Map / The Actors / The Prompt Book / Stage Areas / Table Work: The First Rehearsals / Staging: The Function of Movement / Composition: What the Audience Sees / Picturization: Giving Meaning to What the Audience Sees / Staging and Dramatic Action / Actors Learn Lines as Directors Shape Action / Shaping the Production

6. Rehearsing: Intensifying and Polishing the Action
Objectives / Basics / Intensifying the Action / Polishing the Action

7. Giving and Receiving Feedback
Objectives / Basics / An Opportunity to Learn

8. The Next Step: Thinking Back and Looking Forward
Keep Directing / More Suggestions

Appendix A: A Fellow of Infinite Jest
Appendix B: Off the Map
Appendix C: Table for Four
Appendix D: The Director in the Modern and Postmodern Theatre