The Gravedigger
By: Taylor Compton
Directed by: Moises Zuniga
01
Research & Planning
My Inspiration Image
Our process began with reading, reading, reading. Our class chose the script at the end of our first term. The script happened to be The Gravedigger by Taylor Compton. What I did for my research is read over the script three times taking notes for ideas each time. Then, I created a slide show to showcase and communicate my ideas to my class period once I was chosen to direct.
Then, the first day I came across my first road block. I felt as if I was taking over the entire production. To aid in that I assigned crew heads and asked them to create an inspiration presentation based on their crew so that they felt they had a voice and collaboration in the project. However, as a designer I knew that they needed a starting off point, something they could use to jump off of (rules to break); I added an overarching inspiration image and color pallete.
02
Rehearsal Process
Once every actor and crew were on the same page we began our rehearsal process; we began blocking. Throughout my blocking process I found that I had a difficult time communicating to my first time actors. What we did to aid that is we sat them down and began a blocking exercise. Not after giving them a blocking instruction page. After that exercise I felt that Blocking got smother each day. Our blocking process took a week and a half. However, as we began our stumble-throughs I noticed a plague of the inability to react in the moment. I remember a time where I began acting and reacting was my achilles heel. What I did to aid this plague is teach a reacting game that I had learned at a workshop at thespian festival. This game helped improve our actors and created a more comfortable place for each of them.
Picture
of my blocking
Video of me teaching the reaction game
03
Dress Rehearsal
A week before the show we had few tech components. We needed a miracle to get my vision to come to life.
Our set crew came in during lunches to paint platforms and to work on the flying trees. The biggest challenge was sound and lights getting cues in a day before the performance. This posed a challenge to us as we didnt get enough time to work those moments with tech. What we did is compromise. We ran transitions a day before the show and created a shift change sheet to rid of confusion.
Actors on stage running with set pieces
05
End Product
Actors take their final bows
I was very proud of all of my students for how much they have grown. They all reminded me how grateful they were to have me as a director. They were all sweet; the only fear I had was that they didn't learn a thing from me. However, I was reassured that everyone stepped out of their comfort zone, and they learned something new about themselves when I asked them. What I would do differently if I were given the opportunity to direct again: pacing of production. I feel that at times my directing got out of touch with my timespan. Create a realistic vision that can clearly be executed productively. I feel that with the time limit and the experience that lacked we fell short at times, creating a realistic vision that kept everyone's capabilities in mind would have helped tremendously. Knowing all I know now, I can confidently say I love to teach and I am so proud of our result despite many difficulties. This was the first time I felt I led something and it turned out to be so incredible. However, there is still room for improvements in my leadership and in creating amazing productions.
