Episode #204 - Directors Roundtable: Design
This is the second in our podcast series with a group of directors who come together to discuss a facet of their craft. In this episode Cat Parker, Glory Sims Bowen, and Jonathan Bank talk about the “design” elements of a production and working with those who make “design” possible.
Cat Parker is, in addition to being a freelance director, producer at T. Schreiber Studio where she last directed Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Sister Cities. Glory Sims Bowen is currently the director of Shapeshifter and has been the artistic director of the Midtown International Theatre Festival for several years. Jonathan Bank is artistic director of the Mint Theater and his current project is directing Hemingway’s The Fifth Column.
With Martin Denton as moderator, the three directors discussed varied topics about their role in putting together the best design team for each of their productions, what consititutes a good design team, how they and the team work together. Each brought a unique position to these and other topics discussed. Yet they seemed to completely agree on the importance of allowing the team to do what each member does best, to let them have freedom to create within the agreed upon vision of the play. They also agreed upon the joy of working with designers they know.
These three seasoned directors have sound advice for aspiring/new directors and for those who design for them. Costumes, sound, lighting, sets, props and more, all make up the design team.
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