We’re flipping the script.
In the traditional hierarchy, community theatre sits at the bottom and Broadway sparkles at the top. But in reality, theatre flows like a river; its source is upstream, in community and educational spaces where most artists first step on stage or behind the table. From there, some travel downstream to professional stages, but many remain upstream, fueling the entire ecosystem. Without upstream theatre, downstream spaces would have no one to hire.
The Upstream Director’s Studio exists for the 30,000+ directors working in these vital spaces; most without real mentorship, training, or support. Here, you’ll find a place to sharpen your skills, solve real-world challenges, and direct with more confidence, clarity, and care.
Our Approach
Our resource library will always be 100% free and accessible on-demand. But we know some folks want support not just to understand the material, but to use it. That’s where our classes come in. We use a flipped classroom model: you’ll explore a video, podcast, or transcript before class, so that our time together can focus on applying the ideas through discussion, exercises, and real-world examples. And for now, all our classes are virtual, so you can learn from anywhere!
Studio Classes
We currently offer four class times every weekend so upstream directors with day jobs, family commitments, or weeknight rehearsals can still train. At launch, we have four “tracks” with three classes each, covering topics from leadership and collaboration to design and rehearsal management. You can take any class when it’s offered, mix and match across tracks, and use discounted class packs to plan your training for up to a year. New classes will join the rotation regularly, so there’s always something fresh. Every session is practical, interactive, and designed to give you tools you can use right away.
Play by Play
A Weekly Lunchtime Directing Workout
Each month, we’ll spend four lunchtime sessions breaking down a full-length play; analyzing structure, concept & staging, casting, and design choices. You can drop in for a single session or commit to the full month for a discounted rate and build a regular directing workout into your routine. To make it accessible nationwide, we offer four different times each week, each scheduled around the noon hour in a different U.S. time zone. You’re welcome to join whichever time slot fits your schedule best, no matter where you live.