Top 3 tips for emerging directors

From the Archives and first published in 2019: From independent theatre to the mainstage, directors from around the country offer practical advice for those starting out in their theatre careers.

Everyone needs mentors and everyone needs advice, but when you’re starting out in the arts industry it’s sometimes hard to find the right people to talk to about some of your questions and concerns. If you’re an aspiring director, or just starting out in the field, we’ve made it easier for you with this array of insightful tips from directors in six different states and territories.

Direct shows for young audiences: The best way to test your directorial talent is to make a show that can hold the attention of a room full of Year Nines. Bonus points if you can make a schools touring show that can play in a posh private school theatre, as well as the drama classroom of a rural state school.

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Richard Watts OAM is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, a Melbourne Fringe Festival Living Legend, and was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize in 2020. In 2021 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Green Room Awards Association. Most recently, Richard received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2024. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts