Most of us didn’t go to directing school. We just said yes; to a school play, a community theatre show, a last-minute request…and then had to figure it out as we went. Even those of us who did get training were often taught theory, not how to handle the real stuff: the awkward auditions, the messy rehearsals, the power dynamics, the late actors, the unclear expectations, the self-doubt.

This series is for directors working in the real world. The upstream spaces: classrooms and cafeterias, black boxes and borrowed rooms. It’s a place to finally learn the things we were supposed to just “know.”

Over the course of six sessions, we’ll unpack what it actually means to lead a rehearsal room with specificity, kindness, and confidence. You’ll get tools for giving feedback that lands, handling conflict without spiraling, casting with integrity, setting boundaries without guilt, and building a rehearsal culture that reflects your values, even when the budget is zero and the stakes feel high.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about feeling a little less alone in the work and walking away with real strategies you can actually use next week.

Come to one session or all six. Bring your questions. Bring your chaos. Let’s build better theatre, together.

**CPE Credit available for Texas educators!**

Workshop 1: Directing by Default vs. Directing with Purpose - July 12, 1:00-2:30pm CDT
Ever wonder if you're “doing it right”? This session gives you a new way to think about directing—without needing fancy jargon or a theatre degree. You'll walk away with a clearer sense of your own directing style, a framework to build from, and tools for leading with purpose even when you're under-resourced or unsure.

Workshop 2: Rehearsals Are a Mess. Let’s Fix That. - July 19, 1:00-2:30pm CDT
Late arrivals. Half-memorized lines. Passive-aggressive texts. Sound familiar? Learn how to set a tone that actually sticks—without micromanaging or burning out. We’ll walk through real-life rehearsal challenges and simple, kind ways to handle them so you can spend more time making art and less time putting out fires.

Workshop 3: Casting Is Awkward (But It Doesn’t Have to Be) - July 26, 1:00-2:30pm CDT
Whether you dread auditions or feel overwhelmed by hard choices, this session helps you clarify your casting process and handle common dilemmas with more confidence. We’ll look at real-world strategies for making casting decisions that reflect your values—and how to talk about them when you need to.

Workshop 4: Directing with Access and Respect: Working with Disabled and Neurodivergent Artists - Aug 2, 1:00-2:30pm CDT
You don’t need to be an expert to build an inclusive rehearsal room…but you do need to be intentional. This session gives you language, tools, and real-life examples to help you support disabled and neurodivergent artists with clarity and care. Perfect for directors who want to do better but aren’t sure where to start.

Workshop 5: When It Feels Like Disrespect - Aug 9, 1:00-2:30pm CDT
You’re not imagining it—some behaviors in rehearsal feel personal or frustrating. But before you blow up or shut down, this session offers a new way to frame what’s happening and how to respond. We’ll cover how to recognize true disrespect, what to do when it happens, and how to hold your ground without losing the room.

Workshop 6: Giving Notes That Actually Land - Aug 16, 1:00-2:30pm CDT
Nobody teaches you how to give notes in directing school, if you even went. Whether you’re too vague, too harsh, or feel like your actors don’t “get it,” this session helps you sharpen your feedback skills. We’ll look at what makes a note useful, how to avoid defensiveness, and how to turn notes into moments of real connection.