From page to stage: The director’s interpretation and picturization of a script

Abstract

This paper investigates the process by which directors bring a script to life on the stage through their interpretation and picturization. The study employs a qualitative research approach to analyze the directorial decisions and creative choices made during the transformation of the script into a theatrical performance. The purpose of this study is to gain insights into the director's role in shaping the audience's experience, contribute to the field of theatre studies, and provide practical knowledge for aspiring directors and theatre practitioners. The study employed the auteur theory to underpin the discussion of the paper. The findings of this study reveal the diverse approaches employed by directors in translating a script to the stage; the importance of design elements, including set design, costumes, lighting, and sound, in shaping the visual and auditory aspects of the production as well as certain key elements of the script which the director prioritize when translating it into visual and performative elements. These include the central themes, the subject matter of the play, the characterizations, and the dramatic structure and narrative arc.