If I had the schedule to I probably would have taken the class again. - Nick Flagg (he/him), senior advertising and theatre arts major.
Senior advertising and theatre arts major Nick Flagg (he/him) is getting to see students learn and grow from a mentor's perspective in Professor Lane Savadove's Directing I this spring. Nick fell in love with directing taking this course last year. By mentoring its current students he is feeding his desire to be a directing professor. The description of The Rowan University Department of Theatre & Dance's directing course is as follows:
"This course studies theories and techniques of script analysis and its translation into dramatic action and dramatic sound on the stage, including such concepts as composition, movement, pacing and the development of basic acting ability. Practical directing experience will be utilized."
Want to hear more about Nick's experiences taking and mentoring directing? Keep on reading!
An excerpt of one of Nick's directing scenes last spring (PRE-COVD).
"My favorite thing is just going in and experiencing art. It’s like little pieces of a show. I get to see raw art and it’s so cool. It sounds so dorky but it really gets me worked up. It makes me miss when I took the class."
How do you contribute to Directing as the students' mentor?
"I’m mentoring everyone and they sometimes call me into rehearsals. I have to be invited, of course. They don’t have to utilize me; it’s only if they feel stuck. I just saw Michael Majewski’s scene. He had emailed me, and it was just really cool because I got to watch it a few times and evaluate. I’m basically another set of eyes, Lane said.
How have your students been doing directing over Zoom?
"They’ve been so catered to our generation’s essence. There’s just this rawness in their work and no fear to hide the deep and the dark. Gab Hansson today put up this one scene and it was so strong in point of view with the way I experienced it. The camera, and this is what I love about directing over Zoom, I love that you can position the camera a certain way and only show this aspect of an actor and how close you are. It’s literally a new kinesthetic response."
"Being an artist in directing has really blown my mind. I miss late-night rehearsals and running to the dollar store and getting props. I was crazy because that’s how much joy it brought me! I get to see how much these students are growing because it’s a class they’re really fond of. It’s a complete and utter joy to watch and I know it’s a joy to experience. I think everyone should take it."
Why did you want to be a mentor? What do you hope to get out of it?
"To continue to be in that world of directing. If I had the schedule to I probably would have taken the class again. In terms of wanting to be in that space, what better way to watch people grow than in the study I love learning about? There’s nothing like seeing your peers’ art. Really getting to work with them feels like I’m still learning and that’s what teaching is for me. The teachers in this world are the people so fascinated with learning. My favorite teachers are constantly looking to see growth. All of the professors at Rowan Theatre & Dance really care about that. That’s what’s been inspiring to me. That’s the collaborative art I want to be involved in and I’m still getting that here even though we’re in a pandemic."
Is there something specific you hope these students are getting out of directing?
"Finding themselves as artists. Not only does it have to do with directing, it has to do with how you see pieces in art, experience them as an audience member, a cast member, a stage manager… to see how multifaceted you can be from directing class is the best way I can explain it."
"I’m watching each of these students share a little piece of themselves. Because that’s what the work is we kind of do in directing, not to show a piece of yourself, but when you’re asked to stage your essence, that staging is a part of you. It’s so nice to see people put up work that matters to them because it matters to us as an audience."
What do you think makes a good lesson in class?
"Directing in a way is not set up as lessons. We all have to read Anne Bogart’s book and journal, so it’s a lot of self-discovery work. Lane guides us through it in the way he talks about the piece and gets us to talk about the piece. I think a good lesson is where Lane is having us all collaborate and talk about each other’s pieces after we’ve presented them."
Have you faced any challenges mentoring the class?
"I’ve faced the challenge of not being there for every class. I’ve only gotten to see select people’s scenes, unfortunately, and that’s just been a challenge of not being a part of the class in full, but I’m working on making sure I am there. I’ve noticed that there are moments with the medium that are challenging, but it’s so cool to see how they’re utilizing the medium in their challenges. It’s virtual, but it’s so fascinating to see these artists still ‘arting’."
What would you tell someone interested in taking directing?
"Anyone who’s coming into directing, just come in with an open mind and open heart. Look to keep working positively for yourself and fellow students. We are all working together to grow as artists; that’s all it is in the class. To me, it’s a family aspect. You have to treat it like there’s going to be days where someone is going to say something they really love about your piece and there’s going to be days you wish someone got more out of it. Come in with no judgment of yourself or the work. Just be. Be your most authentic self."
See you next week!
Erica Gerold
Theatre Arts & Public Relations '23
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