What are peoples thoughts on a writer directing their own work?...from experience.

I direct my own writing (not that I place myself in the same category as the three aforementioned writers) and Tulipa I also tend to do my own lighting and sound design. I was a director, producer and LD long before I became a writer and I do not enter a rehearsal process assuming that my work is perfect. I choose my casts based at least partially on what I estimate is the likelihood of each of them bringing something of themselves to the production. Actually I do that even if I didn't write the play. I allow plenty of input from actors and certainly never assume that the way I have written a line is the only way that a line can be said. I agree that any production must be a collaborative process but also my shows are almost always profit share so if I do my own lighting and sound design I have less people to split the profits amongst. That way we all get more. Also I am a professional Lighting Designer who's work I trust. (For professional read paid for the work by real theatre companies.) Rebecca Jo, I do not follow the stage directions in other peoples scripts (although I write copious ones in my own scripts) but I certainly read and study set layouts and stage directions as they help open doors into the mind of the writer. On the other hand you really have to follow Pinter's pause directions it makes the play work really well. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au