I went to the Orlando Director’s Forum at Valencia College East Campus (701 N Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, Florida 32825). The forum featured a group of Orlando’s most stylistically diverse stage. This was a great opportunity to hear unique perspectives on inspiration, casting, rehearsal process, trouble-shooting, and overall creative process of directing. Seth Kubersky hosted a moderated discussion followed by a questions and answers with attendees.
The event featured (in alphabetical order)…
Rob Winn Anderson: Consulting Artistic Director – Garden Theatre
Mike Carr: Artistic Director – SAK Comedy Lab
John DiDonna: Program Chair of Theater – Valencia College, Director/Creator – Phantasmagoria
Pam Harbaugh: Director – Theater on the Edge
Beth Marshall: Producing Artistic Director/Theatre Artist – Beth Marshall Presents
Eric Pinder: Director in Residence – Opera Orlando
Donald Rupe: Director of Theatre – Central Florida Community Arts
Jeremy Seghers: Independent Producer and Director
I love these kinds of events because listening to these directors talk about the creative process reminds me that all the arts share the same creative challenges. It offered inspiration to keep sketching and painting despite any setbacks. I have seen and admired the work of each of these directors in turn as I sketch the arts scene around Orlando. Orlando has such a vibrant theater community since so man actors come to Orlando to work for the theme parks. Those rolls offer limited artistic challenges, so they are always looking for more edgy options to test their chops.