come to my theater and start directing right away I am in rehaersal for a show that opens in 2 daqys and my director is dumber than a box of sticks. Seriously. I don't know the format for UK theater programs (community theater) but in the US, all you need to do is volunteer in local theater companies and offer to be assistant director or stage manager. Offer to do all the scut work for the director's agreeing to allow you to input or totally direct a scene or 2 in the show ( don't show the director up or you will not get the offer again ) but this is a great way of getting your feet wet. Whatever you do as a director, tell the actors what you WANT not what you don't want. Learn directing with broad strokes and allow your performers some interpretation. Know your show, don't waste actors'time by blocking incorrectly and reblocking over and over.   Understand what the play is saying at all times and learn to tell your actors what you want scene by scene. be open to input, but make sure your people know what you want. don;t let the actors have to guess. I guess I am venting becaues in 2 days I have a show that opens and the troglydite that is directing should be parking cars somewhere instead of directiong!   have fun, be original and off the wall. give your audience some credit for having enough brains to follow what is going on!   jimmyt