Assistant Director
An Assistant Director is there to provide support to the Director and the Company, to do research, as well as run scenes and lines with actors when the Director is unable or unavailable.
Auditions
While typically not involved in casting decisions, helps manage the process so
that all auditioners are seen fairly and with a minimum of delay. May be involved in callbacks.
Schedule
Complies a Call Sheet; a listing of which actors will be required for which
scenes, and when they will be required.
Process
Assistant Directors learn how a professional theatre operates. ADs learn an
enormous amount about:
What works and what doesn't
The relationships directors have to form with actors
How to motivate actors to enable them to produce their best work.
Rehearsals
Pay attention in order to be able to recreate the look of the play when
rehearsing on their own with actors
Pick up on the line of thought and discussions between the director and actors, because rather than simply recreate the shape of the main production when rehearsing independently with actors, the AD need to make sure actors know why a character makes certain moves.
Take personal notes for the director on the production, as well as their own thoughts and questions.
Approach actors/director at any point with feedback on performance.
Make the actors feel comfortable at all times.
Make all criticism constructive and suggest ways to improve.
During the Run
Give an encouraging speech before each performance.
The AD is responsible for giving the opening welcome to the audience, asking them to shut off beepers and cell phones, no eating, text messages, etc.