Sense of Direction: Some Observations on the Art of Directing

I've been teaching a drama class in a middle school for several years now. We've been doing Shakespeare plays for the last 5 years. Mr. Ball's book helped enlighten me in how to approach my student actors in an extremely positive way. It changed everything we do for the better.As a result, students are freer to explore their characters without being afraid of whether they're right or wrong (and I'm more inclined to lay the heck off what I think is right or wrong!). Hence, they are empowered to be more creative, more inquisitive, and more empathetic and connected to their characters and with each other.Interestingly, although the book does not really teach the art of acting, it does give a lot of advice on how to approach the motivations of the characters, what Ball views as finding the characters' wants or desires. And that to me is the heart and essence of acting.If you supplement the ideas in Ball's book with some of the ideas from "Fundamentals of Play Directing" (of which Ball recommends a couple of chapters), and include good improvisation "games," I think you'll see some good changes in your classes too.[As an aside, I found this book (and Ball for that matter) from the work he did directing the American Conservatory Theater's production of "The Taming of the Shrew," a 1976 production on DVD that you can buy here on Amazon. That production really helped in understanding how to stage our own production of the same play.]

This is one of the best, clearest and most succinct works I've read on directing and acting. It's written from the viewpoint of a director and covers play analysis, rehearsals, working with actors, etc, but as an actor myself, I found the description of the 'golden key' (that I will not reveal here) especially valuable. I know I'll refer back to the book many times as I work in future productions.

Good details that are easy to overlook when casting, rehearsing, excellent reasoning on how to deal with people. Very helpful with details and examples for new/novice directors, and good check-in reminder for experienced directors.

Mr. William Ball, the former artistic director and founder of The American Conservatory Theatre in San Fransisco, boils down almost forty years of teaching, acting and directing experience into possibly the most effective,educational and practical document about directing. I shudder to use the word text book as that term implies dry academia- an approach which leads to the the death of the theatre- but really this book is indespensable to any theatre director. Ball lays out in a logical, simple and jargon free manner the nuts and bolts of building a balanced right and left brained community which has complete and utter access to the creative impulse. Everything in Ball's book is transferable, practical (sorry about using that term again but it is true)and impeccably rendered. For any theatre director, I strongly suggest purchasing this book as the foundation of any library. Five out of five stars.

This book was recommended to me by one of my mentors who is a fantastic director. This is a really great book for anyone new to directing stage plays or is already a director of the stage. Very clear, concise and helpful. A fantastic guide, very interesting and easy to read, it's so interesting you'll want to read the entire book in one sitting. Prepare to highlight and mark on all the pages as you learn great bits of information.

I purchased this book as a requirement for a theatre class, and was -at first-a bit put off by the approach. I jokingly told my professor that the author obviously drank the "hippie-Koolaid." Lots of stuff about "[sharing your inner truth and light]", etc. :)That being said, this book is really outstanding. There is a lot of extremely practical, solid advice in there to benefit anyone learning about directing or hoping to direct a performance. A pleasant surprise and absolutely worth the purchase.

William Ball gives some pretty strong and important insight in A Sense of Direction. I would recommend all directors read this book whether they work with high school or professional actors. This book also contains important insight for actors who are serious about improving their craft.The only real issue I have with this book is Ball's writing style. The first few chapters of the book are dense and can be tough to get through. Even in latter chapters, Ball uses many more words than necessary to make his point. This significantly detracts from the reading experience.That aside, this is still a good book with a lot of valuable insight that can be a great read for all directors and actors.

Bell lays down his teaching style and philosophy in a clearly understandable manner.His directing method is one in which the director provides an environment of respect for the actor opposed to animosity, very similar to Sidney Lumet's philosophy in "Making Movies" which is film centric instead of theater centric as Bell's book is.Good study and reference book for actors, directors, and directing actors.

This is the very best book I have read on directing. BAll gives substance and form to the intangible and elusive art of directing. He moves past artificial, superficial and self satisfying busy work to the solid principles and philosophy of great directing.

Excellent book for first time directors. Lots of tips and insights on how to run auditions, practices, deal with Divas.Read through it 2 times before my first show.

An excellent book for anyone interested in theatre. As an actor and director I found it very useful with some new ideas.