ABSTRACT
In contemporary theatre, Realism, or some variation of it, is thought of as the predominant style. Identifying the style of a play can be difficult. It is more important for the director to identify the stylistic elements rather than place a name on the style. Different styles have different conventions that affect the way the play is presented and, therefore, how it is directed. The hallmark styles found within Representationalism are Realism and Naturalism. Given the wide range of genres that fall under Presentationalism, the director may assume some common traits but must carefully identify the specific methods employed within the genre to determine the most appropriate methodology of presentation. The staging for presentational genres is often more overt and, hence, less naturalistic. Before making the selection, the director must possess or acquire the skills necessary to understand and direct the genre. Many directors cut the original scripts to tighten the plots and shorten the plays.
