Editor’s Note: Last weekend, I had my directorial debut. I staged a one-act play at The Jeff Goldberg Studio called Gray Areas, inspired by a piece I wrote last year. I’m still in a bit of shock that I had the chance to see something I’d written and directed come to life.
It was a full house both nights.
I was humbled that people I don’t know gave me the gift of their time on a Friday and Sunday evening in Bombay, when they could have spent it any other way.
While most people only saw the final output enacted on stage, today I’m sharing with you a little behind the scenes of my script: my Director’s Book. It’s the madness of notes and ideas that I put together before hosting a single rehearsal.
If you’re a nerd like me, you’ll love this. One, because it’s the nitty gritty behind character and backstory. And two, because it’s a reflection of progress.
When I departed from my default path nine months ago, I had no idea what was possible. I didn’t know how to write a script, let alone direct one. For years, I had dreamt of how wonderful the trifecta life of a writer-director-actor might be, but now I’m actually living in the dream.
And no, it’s not perfect. (My mom still asks me how I can call it “going to work” when I’m not getting paid. 🫠)
But I love it.
While the road ahead is extremely daunting and uncertain — as it often is — it’s encouraging to feel like I’m on the right path for maybe the first time in my life.
Xx,
Shiv
If this post resonated and you’d like to chat, I’d love to hear from you. You can respond directly to this e-mail or find me on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and now YouTube.