“Director’s Cut” at The Blackbox is a different kind of Fringe offering. Much like an improv show the audience helps to determine the course of the performance by selecting which scene will be workshopped. Andrew Roblyer is an experienced director whose goal is to demystify the directing process – and to have a good time in doing so. He speaks to the audience about the art of directing and how the goal of the director is to put all the different pieces of a story together, to create a cohesive and enjoyable watch for the audience.
As the rehearsal process begins we are introduced to the guest actors (different actors are featured at every performance) and they begin to read through the scene. After one readthrough the magic of “Director’s Cut” begins. Andrew begins his text analysis with each actor, breaking down (in the case of Thursday’s performance) Shakespearean text and relating it modern vernacular. He feeds off the choices made by the actors and helps them to clarify and amplify those choices to create the most dynamic scene possible. By the end, the audience was rolling with laughter at this scene between Juliet and her nurse.
Fans of improvisation shows should be encouraged to attend. This show is also specifically interesting to those interested in directing and storytelling. Be sure to catch the remaining performances of “Director’s Cut” at The Blackbox throughout the remainder of the festival.
