TIM MCDONALD
Tim was introduced to the magic of theatre by Mrs. Dolores Bowman, who in the 7th grade had cast him as Marryin' Sam in a School Assembly.

As founding Project Director of MTI's Broadway Junior Collection at Music Theatre International, Tim has adapted the works of Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods) Lynn Ahrens and Steven Flaherty (Once on This Island) and Stephen Schwartz (Godspell) for the educational market and has written many of the director's scripts for the collection.

As an advocate of Arts and Education, Tim has presented workshops and in services for various organizations including the National Parent Teachers Association, Music Educator's National Conference, National Association of Secondary School Principals, The National Alliance for Musical Theatre and the Educational Theatre Association.

Tim has directed most musicals in the repertoire, both professionally and with middle-school aged performers. Tim happily lives a moment from Broadway in New York City.

If you'd like to pose a question and have it answered on our website, write Tim at:
BroadwayJR@MTIshows.com

Tim's Questions & Answers

Tim's Ten Directing Tips:

1. Be organized. As a director, you have to be highly organized. If you're not an organized director by nature, find an assistant who is, and keep them by your side at all times.
2. Plan ahead. Don't leave any detail up to chance. Especially details such as scene shifts, quick costume changes, and wireless microphone swaps.
3. Keep it simple. You're working with some of the best shows ever written. Just tell the story and you'll be successful.
4. Allow plenty of time for rehearsal. Schedule extra rehearsal to solve problems that you may not anticipate. It usually take between 30-45 hours of rehearsal time to create a Broadway Junior show.
5. Use the guides provided in your Showkit. The Director's Script and Cross Curricular Activities and Enrichment Guide are invaluable resources. Use them! We directors have a tendency towards egomania. Hey, it's the nature of the job. If it makes you feel better, don't tell anyone you're using the guides. But, by all means, use the guides. You'll thank me later.
6. Surround yourself with hardworking, creative people whose company you enjoy. Goodness knows, these will be the only people you'll see for weeks on end, make sure you respect, trust and most importantly, like them.
7. Delegate. Use the Golden Rule: If someone else can do it-then let them do it.
8. Encourage parents to help not only on sets and costumes, and other production areas, but by also bringing food, drinks and other goodies to long rehearsals.
9. Demand excellence from everyone, including yourself.
10. Schedule an amazing vacation the week after your show closes. You'll need the break and the thought of Tahiti, Vegas, or just a week of solitude, will motivate you to continue to put your best effort forward.