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Rare insights into the working process of America's most seminal directors and choreographers are the focus of "Masters of the Stage." This series features more than three decades of priceless One-on-One interviews and panel discussions with theatre's most distinguished luminaries. Listen to these never before broadcast programs and hear the story of the American theatre told by those who helped chart its course. The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation brings you to this series through the collaborative efforts of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and the American Theatre Wing.
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Jerry Zaks |
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With:
Jerry Zaks
Steve Kaplan - Moderator
Just two months after the opening of his Tony Award winning production of The House of Blue Leaves, Director Jerry Zaks spoke to a packed house at Westside Arts Theater in the first installment of SDCF's three part "Directing for Comedy" lecture series, in July of 1986. One of America's greatest Directors of comedy opens up his process for the audience, taking us step by step from his first read of a script through the perils of keeping comedy fresh over a prolonged run of a show. He expresses his affinity for what he calls "crafted comedy", or moments that he has choreographed meticulously. When explaining the intangible quality of comedic timing, Mr. Zaks teaches us that comedy, by nature, is musical and that the actors he most enjoys working with are comfortable playing within the structure of its strict beat and measure. Above all, he expresses his love for "rich comedy", which he defines as comedy that is always grounded in recognizable human conditions and contains a basic understanding of human needs. As a director who has given us time and again funny, moving and meaningful plays, Jerry Zaks puts in to words the humor inherent to the Human condition, and the importance of connecting intimately to it through theatre.
Originally recorded - July 8, 1986
Running Time - 1:30:45
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