Interested in directing with us?
Director applications will be opening soon for our 2027 season!
Please review the below in preparation for submitting your proposals.
Please prepare a written proposal for the production, making sure to answer each of the questions below. Please provide as much detail about your vision as you are prepared to at this time; you will be able to expand upon your answers here during the interview. Please note that Montford Park Players is seeking the most suitable candidate to direct this show to the standards that Montford has come to expect, NOT necessarily the most unique vision of the play. The goal of the Montford Park Players will be to focus on quality of theatrical experience for company members and audience, while broadening and improving outreach and continuing traditions of accessibility.
While MPP supports traditional and non-traditional stagings, the staging and concept of any production should enhance the original text and not detract from it. We encourage a focus on an understanding of the language and the ability to communicate it to an audience. Purely academic and experimental stagings are discouraged.
*Please feel free to provide a resume in response to any of the below questions.
- What about this play fueled your desire to direct [title]? (Please be as specific to this play as possible and provide as much detail as you are prepared to at this time.)
- What experience (personal or professional) makes you uniquely suited to direct this particular play?
- Describe any previous experience with this play and try to outline your impressions of the version you read, saw and/or worked on.
- Given the number of characters in this play, what is the minimum number of actors that can be cast while maintaining the integrity and message of the play? Where might you double or triple characters? Are there opportunities for gender/race neutral characterizations? What is the maximum number? What is your ideal cast size?
- What is your design concept for this play? Do you envision a traditional production or a more modern adaptation?
- How does your vision include utilizing the existing performance space?
- What style of costumes do you envision for this production?
- What role does lighting and sound design play in your concept? Do you see in potential challenges presented by the space or equipment at MPP?
- Please give an estimate of the ideal budget your vision would require AND examples of how you might overcome budgetary restrictions to complete this vision.
- Will you be cutting the script yourself? If so, please provide your initial cut to the Artistic Working Group with your proposal. If not, a member of the Artistic Working Group will make themselves available to assist you in cutting the script.
- How much rehearsal time do you think you would need to rehearse this play?
- If you have already identified a prospective production team, please list them and their roles. If not, do you need the assistance of MPP staff to find production team members?
- Please describe your organizational and leadership skills along with any pertinent background information.
- Please provide three references of people who have worked with you on past productions.
At the interview, you will be asked to “pitch” your vision and design concept for the show in detail, including any script cuts or alterations you plan. Assistance will be made available for cutting scripts, if needed. You do NOT need to rehash your written proposal, although you may be asked questions on it. You may then defend that vision, elaborate where necessary, report any new developments since writing your proposal, and ask any questions you might have. You are also welcome at this time to bring in any supporting materials that you feel would enhance the understanding of your vision.
Thank you for your hard work and preparation and we look forward to seeing your proposal.
