So I've been doing a lot of directing recently. So much that I barely have time to update Matthew J. Hanson.com. But on the positive side, I have learned quite a few useful things about the directing process. Many I expected, but others were quite new. First of all:

Directing is not acting.

"No duh!" I hear you say. "What other startling revelations did you have? Maybe that a burrito are not a dangerous weapon?"

Okay, yes it seems obvious, but is has broader implications than I realized. For one thing I have no down time during rehearsals. With a play like Arsenic and Old Lace, even the largest roles have some time when they are not on stage, and a few roles have a LOT of free time. I on the other hand, had to always be paying attention, always taking notes, always telling people to realize my brilliant artistic vision.

Making people realize my brilliant artistic vision is a lot more work than you might think.

Not having down time led to other repercussions I would not have guessed. Specifically, with the lack of down time comes a lack of time to bond. During my most recent acting experience (The Importance of Being Earnest) I formed several close bonds, mostly during the time that I waited backstage for some lesser actor to finish spewing his or her inconsequential role.

With directing it's different. I have more artistic control, and more responsibility for the end result. As a result I am prouder and more artistically fulfilled. But at the same time I lost a great deal of the social aspect of the theatre, which is another important aspect as far as I'm concerned.

I think it's all about finding a balance.