Director’s Vision & Dramatic Action Statement

While it can sound pretentious, having a “vision” for a show concept is very important in the directing process. The vision is the way in which a director sees a script: After careful script analysis, multiple play readings, and even research, the director comes up with their own interpretation of the show and how they want to put it on the stage. To explain the vision, a director often comes up with a dramatic action statement that will capture the overall purpose of the show.

The vision and dramatic action statement is established early in the show process, generally before the first production meeting so that the production team can learn right away how to approach the show. It is important to remember that directing and building a show is a process, so it is not unusual for the vision and dramatic action statement to develop and evolve as the team collaborates to bring the script to life.

Terminology

• Dramatic Action Statement: A statement that explains the overall purpose and interpretation of the show, often used to guide directors and designers to have a unified concept of the production
• Dramaturgy: The historical and literary study of the composition and production of plays.
• Show Bible: A collection of notes and thoughts from the director that share their interpretation with the designers, actors, and other artists involved in the show.
• Vision: The director’s interpretation of a script and how it should be presented on stage