Bill of Rights Defense Campaign

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Guantánamo Reading Project

Put on Readings

8 Steps |  The Script |  Director's Notes |  Publicity Materials |  Discussion Guide

Director's Notes

Dale Morris, of San Diego’s 6th @ Penn Theatre www.sixthatpenn.com, directed a reading of Guantánamo: “Honor Bound to Defend Freedom” at the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc Center for Peace and Justice in December 2004.

He offers the following suggestions:

  1. It’s very important that the dialogue be broken down by the director. That is to say, when a character has a monologue and within that monologue that character is telling what another character says, then that dialogue should actually be given to the other character to say. For instance, if Azmat Begg (the father) tells the audience what his son, Moazzam, said, the character playing Moazzam would read those lines. Or when a character states that an “army person” says something, have another person on stage actually say that line as the “army person.”
  2. Have each actor stand in front of a sign with his name on it when they rise and step forward to speak. The audience is better able to follow the story.
  3. Keep the pace fast!
  4. The director need not be afraid to make cuts in dialogue.
  5. Cast a diverse group of very good readers.
  6. Plan for at least 6 hours of rehearsal (and preferably 9).
  7. No unnecessary stage movement. Don’t over direct the reading.
  8. Recordings of Arabic prayers can be downloaded from the internet.
  9. Special lighting not needed and try to stay away from stage mics.
  10. A stage manager to assist the director is essential.