TTF Alumni Spotlight: Zane Alcorn (Theatre, 2016)

Hailed for his "spirited stage direction" (San Diego Story) Zane Auburn Alcorn (He / Him / His) is a stage director of theatre, musicals, and opera. His work has spanned from absurdist new works to dramatic classics and everything in between, most recently directing with Opera A La Carte San Diego, Theater At Monmouth, and Boulder Opera Company. As a director, Zane has developed a style of collaboration that is grounded in well-informed dramaturgical discussions, while embracing active staging that regularly engages the surrounding environment as its own character. Learn More at https://zanealcorn.weebly.com/

What was the most challenging production you have worked on, and how did it elevate your craft? 

“I directed Orpheus in the Underworld, which is an operetta — kind of an in-between of a musical and an opera. We only had about 35 hours of rehearsal time. I tried to add all of the comedic bits and character arcs together, and the hardest part was getting the performers really comfortable. I staged the show in about three days, then gave the performers two or three days just to run material on their own.”

How did your early experiences in theater shape your approach to directing?

 “Adrian Alita was teaching a clowning class, and our year was the first semester he taught it. We were a tribe of clowns coming in every day, getting such a raw experience of what clowning really means and how to tell a story. I literally name-drop that class all the time in my work and when I’m talking with other directors, because of how influential it was. I’m also a very absurdist director, so I take a lot of absurdist and very cartoonish action and incorporate it into realism.”

What is shadow work? How do you incorporate it into your craft?

 “Shadow work, essentially, can be used either as a paper puppet or as full-body performance. All of the shows I’ve done have used full-body shadow work. I’ve incorporated different story elements to explore shadow in unique ways. When I directed Thurston Fog, I used a pulsing red light, so you only saw the shapes of the bodies as they moved. The show was about shipwrecks, and it opened with the performers rocking the lifeboat they would be in for the rest of the piece — a really intense start. Other times, I’ll use sci-fi materials to create the shadow effect. I love taking the essence of a character and breaking it down to either a voice or an action.”

If you could go back to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell them?

 “I would tell my 21-year-old self not to worry about bothering artists — to always feel comfortable reaching out. I’d tell my younger self that people will appreciate my work. It’s all about persistence, because eventually people respect consistency. The industry is tough, but if you truly love this work, you’ll be okay in the long run.”

Do YOU want to be our next alumni spotlight? Fill out our Alumni Update Form or email Dr. Katie Turner, [email protected]!