Presented by Ralph B. Peña –
Held in person:
This ten-week, 3-hour-per-week directing class, led by Obie and Drama-Desk Award winning Ralph Peña (founding Artistic Director of Ma-Yi Theater Company), teaches you how to bring scripts to life on stage with practical, real-world skills. Each week, you’ll work on scenes from contemporary American plays, learning how to break down scripts, stage scenes, and create a clear and compelling story. The course will introduce ways to analyze texts, plan visuals, and craft powerful moments. You’ll also learn strategies for continued learning, helping you develop your skills over the long term. By the end, you’ll have practical tools to keep growing as a director.
Ralph B. Peña is the founding Artistic Director of Ma-Yi Theater Company and a seasoned director of new American plays. His directing credits include The Chinese Lady by Lloyd Suh (Long Wharf Theater, The Public Theater), SUMO by Lisa Sanaye Dring (La Jolla Playhouse, The Public Theater), The Far Country by Lloyd Suh (Yale Repertory Theatre), Tiger Style! by Mike Lew (South Coast Repertory), and Happy Fall by Lisa Sanaye Dring (Contemporary American Theater Festival). Peña’s classes will focus on developing a director’s tools through text analysis, visual composition, working with actors, and crafting clear, dynamic storytelling on stage.