Sense of Direction: Some Observations on the Art of Directing

Mr. William Ball, the former artistic director and founder of The American Conservatory Theatre in San Fransisco, boils down almost forty years of teaching, acting and directing experience into possibly the most effective,educational and practical document about directing. I shudder to use the word text book as that term implies dry academia- an approach which leads to the the death of the theatre- but really this book is indespensable to any theatre director. Ball lays out in a logical, simple and jargon free manner the nuts and bolts of building a balanced right and left brained community which has complete and utter access to the creative impulse. Everything in Ball's book is transferable, practical (sorry about using that term again but it is true)and impeccably rendered. For any theatre director, I strongly suggest purchasing this book as the foundation of any library. Five out of five stars.

A wealth of practical insight. It could serve as a model for all "how to" books: utterly clear, in stark, spare prose that nevertheless conveys enormous passion for the art. I picked it up as part of a workshop at the Yale Drama School, and have reread it many times. It's a kind of checklist of decisions that must be made by the director, from the most profound philosophical ones to the nuts and bolts of costume design. Mr. Ball's voice here is the one that any director would want to provide his actors in rehearsal: calm, clear, thoroughly informed, and obviously in command.

This is the best book on directing that I have read. Not only is this an excellent book for directors, but also the chapter on OBJECTIVES is a MUST read for every actor.Bill Ball gives a step by step process from beginning to end on the art of directing. From blocking, objectives, subtext, and helping the actor to create the inner life of their character to fittings, production meetings, and working with designers, the information you will find in this book is invaluable! No longer do you have technical rehearsals that are disasters. By introducing all sound cues, including music, early on in the rehearsal process, the "Kinks" are worked out at a very early stage. Tech rehearsals then become run throughs--building upon what was done in rehearsals and providing the actors with a non-stop run through, which is so vital for the actors in order to maintain the sense of the through-line of their character. BUY THIS BOOK! YOU WON'T BE SORRY!

In this lucid and engaging book, Mr. Ball illuminates the amazing collaborative process that theatre is. His clear vision of the director's role: the person who must unleash and nourish the creative energy of his cast and crew. Anyone interested in the creative process or bringing out creativity in others will find it hard to put this book down.

One of the clearest, most useful books on theatre ever written. You will find yourself constantly going back to read parts of it over and over again. It is simply and elegantly written with mind-bogglingly appropriate examples. One of the 5 best "how to" books on theatre ever written.