Summer Course Profile: Advanced Directing—Dramaturgy for Directors

For experienced directors looking to take their skills to the next level, Virginia Reh will help you learn how to explore scripts to find your own approach to production—focusing on what drives you to work on a play, finding interpretations that don’t violate the text, and creating theatre in a collaborative environment as one in a team of equals.

Participants will examine two scripts that they have read in advance, and research materials will be made available.  Dramaturgical work will combine with in-class exercises to help turn concept into reality during the rehearsal process.

Virginia Reh’s multi-faceted career embraces directing, acting, teaching, theatre, music theatre, opera, film, T.V.  A former Artistic Director of the Gryphon Theatre and founding Co-Director of Script Lab, she has worked with the Shaw Festival, Edmonton, Canadian and Vancouver Opera Companies, Opera Lyra, Tapestry Singers, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Theatre on the Grand and Shakespeare in the Square.  Currently a member of the Dramatic Arts faculty at Brock University, she has taught at he Banff Festival, Sheridan College, the Opera School at the University of Toronto and Theatre Ontario's Summer and Youth Courses.  She was drama coach and Production Manager for the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus for 14 years and has been Dramatic Consultant to Opera In Concert for 23 years.   A transplanted New Yorker, Virginia has been a champion of Canadian theatre, dramaturging and workshopping scripts for theatre, film and music theatre.  She has adjudicated in every region of the province, as well as adjudicating Theatre Ontario in Sarnia in 2006 and Sudbury in 1983.  She has worked in communities around Ontario as director, workshop leader and consultant.  Virginia is a past recipient of Theatre Ontario's Maggie Bassett Award, for her outstanding contribution to theatre in Ontario.

The Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive runs from August 12 to 18 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.  Experience a week away from all distractions and immerse yourself in a unique theatrical learning experience.  You will learn new skills, meet passionate theatre people, and flex your creative muscle!  Read about all of our Summer Courses on the Theatre Ontario website.