The purpose of this work was to examine a director’s view of reinterpretation as a useful theatrical tool. As a young director, the idea of altering a text or pieces of its setting or plot can be an intimidating process, and this text allows for a deeper look at what reinterpretation is, the motivations behind it, and how directors approach creating a reinterpretation. The process of reinterpretation was first examined academically using interviews, theories, and other texts. The second approach was a practical production of Agamemnon, set in contemporary times. The production process was documented through a director’s show diary, along with an actor interview and production photos.
The academic portion provided an expanded vocabulary for discussing the creative process of reinterpretation, allowing directors to explain their decisions and monitor them more easily. The most useful elements of this vocabulary were the idea of approaching reinterpretation as adaptation, and two distinct approaches for reinterpretation. The most applicable advice found in this study, however, resulted from the production portion. The process revealed guidelines that should be followed when approaching a reinterpretation. This thesis demonstrates the importance of learning by doing, and the need to apply theory to be able to fully understand it.