Direct Address
Early-career directors stage selected scenes (no tech), receive real-time feedback from an industry professional, and join in discussions about the craft.
June 30th, Steppenwolf | Jonathan L. Green
What is Direct Address?
Director-Centric
Inspired by Josh Sobel’s Howlround article, Direct Address’s mission is to provide new directors in Chicago with an opportunity to connect with established creatives and theatre companies.
A Chance to Connect
By having each night hosted by a different Chicago theatre, artists are introduced to new spaces and opportunities for growth. Those not presenting a scene are networking with their peers.
What’s the Timeline?
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Selected directors block 5-minute scenes with actors, with observation from the guest director
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Networking event for ticket holders
7:30 - 8:00 PM
Scene Presentations
8:00 - 9:00 PM
Q and A with Guest Director
How do we choose the directors?
Three directors are chosen per night, directors apply through purchasing a ticket to the event ($15/PWYC). Each director is assigned a scene based on their artistic statement.
To be eligible for Direct Address, directors must:
Have prior directing experience outside of academia (either full production or staged readings).
Not currently be enrolled in an undergraduate program.
Be able to provide a resume of artistic work.
We evaluate based on the director’s career trajectory/momentum, affinity to the host director’s specialty and the theatre company’s season, and potential for future collaboration with the playwright.
How do we choose the playwrights?
Through our reading process, we've identified specific guidelines that help align future submissions with our program needs.
Movement: Scenes with action being performed are particularly valuable. They give directors more freedom to interpret the script, such as having actors move between locations or incorporating action-reliant dialogue.
Plot: We prioritize scenes where a plot point takes place - a character receives something, they learn something that changes their life etc.
Exposition: The scene does not need exposition.
Access: Nothing that requires a fight or intimacy coordinator.
Actor Balance: If a scene indicates it needs 3 people but the 3rd actor appears only briefly, we prioritize scenes that balance time among all actors and accurately reflect the number of people needed.
Sign up
Jonathan L. Green
Jonathan L. Green is the Director of New Play Development for Steppenwolf where his most recent dramaturgy credits include Amadeus, Mr. Wolf, The Book of Grace, Fool for Love, and both the world premiere and Broadway transfer of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Purpose. Previously Green was the Director of New Works for Goodman Theatre, where his dramaturgy credits included the world premieres of Christina Anderson’s How to Catch Creation, Rogelio Martinez’s Blind Date, Charles Smith’s Objects in the Mirror, and Doug Wright’s, Scott Frankel’s and Michael Korie’s War Paint, as well as works in development by Charise Castro Smith, Octavio Solis, Abe Koogler, Bess Wohl, Paola Lázaro, and Dave Harris. As a director, he has worked with Sideshow Theatre, Steppenwolf, Diversionary Theatre, TheatreWorks, Greenhouse Theater Center, Silk Road Rising, Playwrights’ Center, and more. Green served as the Artistic Director of Sideshow Theatre Company from 2007-2020. (photo: joe mazza -- brave lux inc)
How to participate
As a Director:
Rehearse a 5 minute scene on May 11th
Present to Featured Director and audience from 7:30 - 8 PM.
Participate in (and/or submit anonymous questions for) the Q&A session.
As an Audience member:
Purchase a ticket for admission.
Participate in Networking event with other audience members from 6:30- 7:30 PM.
Participate in (and/or submit anonymous questions for) the Q&A session.
FAQs
Do I need to be a director to go to Direct Address?
Nope! we encourage everyone to come to Direct Address and meet folks in the community!
What qualifies as 'early-career director' for this program?
Directors who apply must currently not be enrolled in college and have prior directing experience (at least 2 productions/readings/workshops).
Will I get paid if I act/direct/write for Direct Address?
Yes. everyone involved in the program as an actor, director, or playwright will be reimbursed if they bought a ticket and get a stipend of $20.
Tell me more about these scenes
5-minute scenes involving max. 3 actors. Scenes are from local playwrights. Script in hand, no tech. Each performance is in a different space.
I cant make it to this one, will there be more?
Our goal is to have Direct Address at various locations through Chicago. Please apply to be in our database, if you are interested in hosting reach out to us at directaddress@pockettheatrics.org
I got selected to direct a scene, what should I expect?
Scenes will be provided to the directors a week beforehand with a cast.