Theatre directing as Action Research: testing the Action Research model

Abstract

Theatre directors need to solve numerous problems during the process of production, from their discussion of ideas with designers during pre-production, to their bargaining with producers to achieve a vision that does not exceed the budget. Then during rehearsal, directors may be faced with a cast drawn from different backgrounds of training and with various levels of experience. This thesis poses practical questions for directors: What should they do to make suitable decisions in a complex situation? And can the use of the action research framework help them make the best choice? Action research is an interactive inquiry process that integrates the implementation of a plan by developing an understanding of its effectiveness. As distinct from many forms of conventional academic research (Kemmis and McTaggart 1988, McNiff and Whitehead 2011), those actively employing action research – such as education and nursing professionals - participate in an ongoing testing and monitoring of improvements through its practice. Having acknowledged that they have found it to be a successful tool to assess, change and produce practical knowledge, this investigation seeks to determine if it can also be of benefit to the creative world of the theatre director. This thesis also reviews ethnographic fieldwork technique as a means of augmenting the ‘observation’ stage in the action research framework. Drawing on my (observer-participant) observation of the production Three Brothers, I describe how the directorial process shares some of the features of action research, even though the director is not consciously deploying them. Then, appointed as director of Principle, I am given the opportunity to work as decision-maker at rehearsals which normally take place behind doors closed to the public. This enables me to reveal the many complexities faced by the director. In both cases, they reveal the way directors can benefit from applying action research themselves.