Foreword by Marcia Milgrom Dodge
Introduction: A director's job in a musical
PHASE 1 CONCEPTION
Charting a detailed course for your production journey
Timetable 1: preparation
1 Preparing for collaboration
2 Imagining the chorus
PHASE 2 COLLABORATION
Timetable 2: setting your production in motion
3 Collaborative partners
4 Directing the design
PHASE 3 REHEARSAL
Timetable 3: auditions to final studio run-through
5 Auditions
6 Staging and coaching
PHASE 4 PRODUCTION
Timetable 4: technical rehearsals to final dress rehearsal
7 Moving into the theatre
PHASE 5 PERFORMANCE
Timetable 5: previews to closing
Chapter 8 Shaping the production
Chapter 9 Etcetera – and all the rest
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Sample documents
Appendix B: Complete production timetable
Appendix C: Questionnaires
Appendix D: Brief glossary of useful stage terms
Biography
Joe Deer is Distinguished Professor of Musical Theatre, emeritus and Past Director of The Musical Theatre Initiative at Wright State University, USA. He is also an experienced director, choreographer, actor, dancer, stage manager and artistic director. He is the award-winning director or choreographer of productions from Off-Broadway to America’s finest regional and international stages. Joe has been a musical theatre educator for almost forty years, teaching in New York City at Steps Studio, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The American Dance Machine and many of the world’s finest conservatories.
“Directing in the Theatre: An Essential Guide is both challenging and all-encompassing. It is rare to find that balance between craft and theory, and between conceptual understanding and collaborative execution. Deer’s book talk[s] about perception, risk taking, enquiry and communication ‑ all with a fiery sense of curiosity that is demonstrated in very real, immediate and responsible choices that directors must make.”
Ray Miller, Appalachian State University, USA
Liza Gennaro, Broadway Choreographer, The Most Happy Fella, Once Upon A Mattress; Author, Making Broadway Dance
“Joe Deer demystifies the director’s role with clarity, wit, and wisdom. Directing in Musical Theatre is essential reading—not just for directors, but for anyone serious about educating, performing, or creating in this art form. If you want to speak fluent musical theatre, start here.”
Robert Meffe, Head of MFA Musical Theatre, San Diego State University, USA
“Joe Deer’s Directing in Musical Theatre remains the most indispensable resource on my shelf. This new edition is an essential for anyone committed to training the next generation of musical theatre artists.”
Joshua Denning, Head of Musical Theatre, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
“The book sings and dances the body and spirit of collaboration, storytelling, and all things key for directing in musical theatre. (Deer) has synthesized the process into a comprehensive and thorough account of the director’s role and functions. It is distinct in the way that it emphasizes collaboration and encourages the director to find his own voice as storyteller.”
Kevin Calcamp, Bowling Green State University, USA
“If you’re looking for the one book on directing musicals, stop searching — you just found it!”
Søren Moller, Artistic Director and Creative Producer, Østre Gasværk Teater Copenhagen, Denmark; Former Head of the Danish Academy of Musical Theatre
“Whether you are an experienced director or at the beginning of your journey, studying this book will provide valuable benefits not only to you, but also to your fellow creatives, to actors, and, by extension, to the audience and the broader theatre community. It is the official textbook adopted across all academic programs at the Scuola del Teatro Musicale and, since its first edition, has played a significant role in the education of young artists who have gone on to become respected professionals in the performing arts sector.”
Marco Iacomelli, Director and Head of School, Scuola del Teatro Musicale, Milan, Italy
“This is indispensable reading for anyone who has ever directed or wants to direct a musical. Essentially a “bible” with an emphasis on the uniqueness of every production, Deer analyzes and reasons through all aspects and challenges of directing in a clear, easy to understand manner.”
Dick Block, Associate Head, Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, USA
Praise for the first edition
“This will be an essential handbook for anyone faced with the challenge of directing a musical. Deer writes from a wealth of experience in directing, and a thorough knowledge of the musical theatre repertoire.”
Dominic Symonds, University of Portsmouth, UK
“Directing is a somewhat ‘ethereal’ job – those who do not do it have a hard time articulating what it is we exactly do as Directors. I think this book is both practical, but asks the right questions so that directors do not merely ‘replicate’ another show.”
David Gram, Director, Dramaturg, Actor & Teacher, USA
“Finally! A step-by-step handbook on how to direct musicals. Joe Deer’s Directing In Musical Theatre is the perfect book for aspiring and experienced directors alike. The craft of directing can be quite mysterious, but as Joe masterfully tells it, with thoughtful insight, extraordinary detail and great passion, the director’s role becomes vividly clear. This book is sure to become a valuable resource for anyone working in the theatre.”
Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Tony Award Nominated Director & Choreographer, RAGTIME
“A terrific analysis of how to mount a musical. From reading the script, right up to opening night, Joe Deer's insights are practical and inspiring.”
Walter Bobbie, Tony Award winning Director, CHICAGO
'Joe Deer's book is an eloquent and accurate analysis of what a director in the musical theatre actually does. He understands the many components of a musical and how to coordinate and integrate them. I highly recommend it to anyone contemplating directing a musical.”
Jerry Zaks, Tony Award winning Director, GUYS AND DOLLS and SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ
“Directing In Musical Theatre is a splendid text for anyone wishing to explore directing for the musical stage. It deals with every essential aspect of this daunting task, and explains each with singular clarity and intelligence. The work is well organized, thorough, and completely accessible. Finally, here is a book that gets to the heart of this art.”
Gregory Lehane, Professor - Former Head of Directing, Drama and Music, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
“Joe Deer's Directing in the Musical Theatre is a well-informed exploration of the musical theatre directing process that is filled with heart, intellect and spirit. If every director was required to read the chapter on staging alone, we would be blessed with productions more truthful, entertaining, and ultimately satisfying. This book, which equally balances craft with artistry, will be helpful to beginner and seasoned veteran alike.”
Cary Libkin, Professor, Head of Musical Theatre Degree Programs, Penn State University, USA
