Last updated August 28, 2010   

Albany Civic Theater
Albany, Oregon

Directing at ACT

How directors are chosen

ACT chooses its directors each season from a pool of candidates who meet our qualifications and who submit scripts for our consideration. Qualification is determined by the board of directors, and plays are read by a committee of ACT members appointed by the president; once they come up with a proposed season calendar, it is submitted to our paid membership for ratification at the April membership meeting.

Like all others at ACT, directors are unpaid.

If you are interested in directing at ACT, the first step is to get involved with the theater, on stage or off. Get to know current directors and volunteer to work with them (you must serve as a stage manager or assistant director here before you will be considered to direct a play; there are no exceptions).

PLEASE NOTE: the submission deadline for the coming season has passed. This material is provided as guidance for would-be directors working on submissions for future seasons.

Call for directors, 2010-2011

November 8, 2009

Albany Civic Theater is soliciting director submissions for our 60th season. The new season will open in September of 2010 and run through August 2011.

Please read this packet thoroughly, even if you have directed for us before. There may be some changes of which you may not be aware; this a “must read” for every director. If you are interested in applying to direct, we urge you to:

• Read the information packet to make sure you have, or will have, met the necessary minimum qualifications for directing at ACT
• Read and consider the Charge to the Play Reading Committee on the next page (see .pdf file). Of particular note is the requirement that all plays fit in a season marketed as “Classic”.
• Start reading scripts
• Talk to other directors. We often find duplicate scripts submitted by separate directors. Communication will help keep that to a minimum.
• Please choose plays that are diverse from each other
• Please submit at least one play that has some form of name recognition.
• Submit up to three plays for consideration by the ACT Play Reading Committee.

All scripts and accompanying forms must be received at the theater by 5:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2010.

At the February 7th board meeting, the board will review all directors and determine at that time those not qualified for the season. Individuals will be contacted within that week with the reason(s) and given tools to assist them to meet qualifications for the following season.

Our schedule calls for a recommended season to be presented to ACT members for final approval on Sunday, April 11th, 2010.

If, after reading this packet, you have questions about the process or about plays contact me by phone (791-3059) or e-mail actpresident@albanycivic.org

Best wishes for the holidays and the New Year.
Dean Keeling
President

Materials for would-be directors

These documents are provided in printable .pdf format, which require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. To convert them to a format you can use to type in your submission information, simply open the file, highlight the text, copy it and then paste it into the word-processing program of your choice.

• 2009-2010 Play Submission Packet
  • Call for directors letter
  • Submission guidelines
  • Director information form
  • Play submission form

Materials for current directors

• ACT production manual on line (.pdf format; 2010-11 edition)
  • Stage floor plan (Here's a separate, printable copy for those who don't want to download the whole manual.) (pdf - Updated July 2008)
• Audition forms (.pdf)
• Script check-out forms (.pdf)
• Bio forms (.pdf)
• ACT publicity forms
• ACT poster design guidelines
• An ACT-ors Handbook, 2007-2008 edition: guidelines for cast members (.pdf, printable booklet format. An letter-sized version is included in the production manual. )
• Liaison guidelines (.pdf)