My favourite book on theatre directing. Concise and accessible, I go back to it often and I always gain some insight. ( )

Amazon: I liked Bloom's substitution of the work "approach" for "concept." Essentially the idea is the same but the phrase "concept" gives a feeling on some esoteric idea that every aspect of the production must accommodate. "Approach" suggests a method of dealing with the production, but doesn't force conformity. It denotes a direction and has a connotation of flexibility. Also as I mentioned before Bloom suggests a duel-perspective approach: external and internal. What Bloom gives the reader is a basic process of creating a production while at the same time allowing a flexible approach to the production itself, for no two plays require the same approach. Bloom gives suggestions to deal with different situations or problems that may crop up, but not a rigid methodology. He also suggests ways to prevent problems from arising by dealing with them in pre-production before they explode into a crisis.
Bloom suggests many practical means for finding one's way into the work, and developing an effective storytelling technique, through common terminology that most actors and directors can respond to. As a graduate student in acting, I certainly wish more directors had a chance to pick up and peruse this book.
Included are also sections on working with designers, structuring your rehearsal space and time, developing rehearsal strategies, approaches for technical rehearsals, etc. It covers everything, even after the show is up and running and you are moving on to the next project.