LONELYPOND PRESENTS

Well Stefan Stern completes my FT writer triumvirate. In a column earlier this week, he discusses leadership and how 1955 British Army notes on leadership given to him by a current “Captain of Industry” are still valid today. This is the kind of business column I find most useful, as general leadership notes also apply to leadership in the arts in general and directing in specific. Yes, artistic flair, creativity and genius are great things to have in your quiver when facing a room full of actors, but so is a schedule that will allow for enough rehearsals with some time built in for the scenes that just aren’t working. People underestimate the potential of pragmatism in the arts.

After casting, which is crucial and an art, the next step is scheduling. The Norton Directing Program is a three stepper: pick great play (or at least a play with some vitality), put the right actors in the right parts, and stay out of the way (this last bit actually does require work as first you have to make sure everyone’s pointed to the appropriate compass direction).

Back to Stern and his notes on notes on leadership — Stern distills books and conversations into solid principles that I can ponder without getting lost in business speak. What I’m currently reviewing is remembering to pay more attention to the individual — not necessarily in direct interaction, but by breaking down strengths and concerns as you do for scenes or lines; often you have to decide if a problem needs to be solved on a group level or an individual one and if you judge wrongly, things get more tangled.

To effectively discuss the world and politics, not only do you need a grasp of economics and politics, but you also need to be conversant in Disney. John Gapper uses High School Musical 3 to chide the Republicans for their lack of understanding of the electorate.

The War Requiem review reminded me of Ian Bostridge’s expressive tenor so I am currently in search of the Bostridge CD I acquired many many shows ago to provide a little masculine energy for Vita and Virginia; this will probably cause the unearthing of several CDs I’ve been half remembering to look for. Fun.

Oh, and another member of my FT triumvirate, James Altucher, has released his latest book into the world — The Forever Portfolio. How to be Berkshire Hathway at home seems to be the theme.