The 12 New Directors
About 90 applied, about 60 were accepted, about 10 dropped out. 13 of them joined as practical participants; 12 eventually got to directing a play as their final exercise.
Why have they come? - To search for something more than a tranquil life, to do something that would make living more alive. The spur behind this state of mind is possibly the most important thing to ignite a new director's imagination and creativity. Without that, the best efforts remain a copy of sorts.
As I have explained to them at the outset, the art of directing, like all other creative activities, cannot really be taught. The inspiring relevance and charismatic character of a production that stir the heart and mind of its audience represent nothing less than a passion, an intelligence and an understanding that comes with a sensitive and courageous individuality.
Workshops are designed for the learners. The rest of us are instruments to their growing. Here they are told to give and try their all in the best way they wish to - and in no way need they worry whether anything is NOT OK. But if anyone in the audience is left suspecting they didn't matter, they are misunderstanding. For the young directors are encouraged to free themselves from all set rules but one, i.e., a production concept is a good one only when it can be communicated to the audience.
Apart from abundant talent, this workshop has been made most exciting by the great diversity in the participants' ethnic and cultural background. Confronted by that challenge, we have managed, each in varying degrees, to reorientate ourselves in our artistic vision and aesthetic values. The significance of these lessons far outweigh the accumulation of technical knowledge. Methods and techniques need much longer time and much more practice to mature than this workshop can provide. For now, a qualitative breakthrough in outlook and approach is what we hope they were able to achieve.
As director of the workshop, I am quite convinced that I have learnt more from it than any of the participants thanks to their unabating challenges delivered with much intelligence and sensitivity. May the audience, the final, indispensable element to make this workshop complete, feel equally rewarding in witnessing the fruits of their sincere search conducted over six diligent months.
Kuo Pao Kun
(Source: The Theatre Practice Programme)