Directing for Community Theater Workshop
Hosted by Derek Olson
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VenueBF Rec Center Auditorium
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DateJanuary 28 at 6:30pm
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DurationApprox. 180 Minutes
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TicketsFree
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Age Range18+
A Directing Workshop for Community Theater, Specifically
One of the most requested workshops we’ve had for years now is one for directing, so on January 28, starting at 6:30pm at the BF Rec Center Auditorium will be our first Directing Workshop. This is free to the public and open to anyone 18+.
The Workshop
This workshop will delve into directing techniques and theory, so if you have never directed before this is a great place for you to start. Even if you are someone who has directed before, there can be some good information here for you. A lot of the workshop will deal with the complexities and unique opportunities and challenges that come with directing for community theater. This workshop will cover blocking, how to plot out tackling a show, setting a vision, how to work with volunteers, setting expectations, dealing with complications and complicated people, and much more!
This workshop is free to the community and anyone in the surrounding area so make sure to come out if directing is something you are passionate about, or even if it is something you’ve had just a passing interest in. Make sure to bring questions as well, our workshop moderator, Derek Olson, will make time to answer any questions you may have.
Workshop Host
Derek Olson has been directing theater consistently since 2009 but helped direct his first show while in college back in 2003. Originally he started out as the Belle Fourche High School Theater director and did that from 2009 – 2021. In that time he worked with hundreds of amazing high schoolers and directed straight shows, one-acts and musicals. There were comedies, dramas, slapsticks, existentialist pieces, heavy pieces about mining death and musicals about 70’s disasters.
In 2009 Derek helped form Belle Fourche Community Theater which eventually became Belle Fourche Area Community Theater and is its first and current Executive Director. He directed the first ever community theater show in 2010 and directed as recently as 2025. He has directed shows of all sizes for BFACT from two-person micro-plays to musicals with 50+ people on stage. Derek has directed original pieces and all-time classics and in 16 years he has done over 40 shows with people of all ages. Beyond the stage, Derek has also directed many TV commercials, industry pieces, comedy shorts, web pilots, and short films.
