2.1: Creating a Vision
The concept of ‘a vision’, is flawed. I say that it is flawed because we attribute ‘vision’ to a singular viewpoint and a leader guides us on the path towards this ‘vision '. This is never the case in theater. A production is a combination or fusion of many perspectives, ideas, and artforms all working together to create something new. What you really have is a strong idea and sense of what you want the play to feel like, look like, and how it should be perceived. As an artist you will always read a play and see a vague movie version of the show in your head. Sometimes a great idea can really stand out but the more rigid you are in your ‘vision’ the more you shut out the creativity of those around you and the spirit of theater is lost.
I am not saying you should not have strong ideas, I am only suggesting that you realize that they are just ideas, and you as the leader need to give your team the freedom to contribute their artistic talents to the production. Come in with ideas and think of your ideas as planter boxes that each designer, actor, participant, can grow and shape into the garden that will become the show. The stronger your ideas are in the beginning and the clearer you can communicate these ideas in the beginning of the process, the more cohesive your overall show will be.
You will however, need to make sure that all of the ideas your team begins working on are cohesive and work to serve the overall story. Think of yourself as an editor and use your communication skills to help guide your team to a cohesive shared vision.