ABSTRACT
The director in theatre has a unique role. On one level the director is felt and seen everywhere in a production, but at the same time the director's work is ephemeral, not readily visible to the audience, which is contrary to the work of the playwright, the actors on the stage, and the designers. Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, who in the 1830s established an acting ensemble dedicated to creating a more natural, by their standards, world of theatre, is generally viewed as the first "modern" director. The director's functions can best be divided into two aspects: the artistic and the managerial. The director becomes a de facto acting coach, helping the actor to develop his or her technique while realizing the director's vision. Having the concept firmly in mind the director can now proceed with the production phase.
