During the late 80's and early 90's, the Directing head of Columbia University's Oscar Hammerstein II Center for Theatre Studies had this open philosophy concerning the direction of new plays on the graduate school level:
"Directors must place their thumbprints in the eye of each production they direct."
That directing style was hammered into the Columbia graduate directing students to the ultimate detriment of the graduate Playwrights.
Beware that "director's thumbprint" philosophy is not unique to Columbia.
That harbinger against serving the playwright's intent in favor of the director's thumb led to the creation of The United Stage.
(Note: The United Stage was not, is not and shall not be associated or sponsored by Columbia University and vice-versa.)
Internationally renowned directors (some were hired to teach directing at Columbia) subscribe to that "thumbprint philosophy" as well. That ideal is even pursued by directors working on new plays!
The United Stage believes Playwrights must NOT allow their plays to be manipulated by directors who seek to place their footprints in the sands of time at the expense of the Play's original intent, desire and structure.
(Note: There are directors who are quite willing to collaborate and work with Playwrights and to assist in the full realization of the vision of the play without taking the "thumbprint attack" to skew new plays. We welcome that aesthetic as Citizens of The United Stage.)
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