Many leading theatre directors have developed theories about the fundamental notion of “directing”, as well as their aesthetic positions about theatre and its goals. The purpose of this course is to read into these theories, evaluate the relation between them and the productions of these directors and compare the different approaches to directing theatre.

Naturally, considering their influence on the development of modern Western theatre, Stanislavski and Brecht will be discussed thoroughly as two polarized oppositions in the theatrical map. But many other directors will also be present as described here in the course subjects. Among the other questions that will be raised: body vs. soul as the creative source of the work; presentation and representation – and the tendency of the ‘performative turn’ to blur the line between them; and the eternal question: what is theatre?