What Are Some Dos And Don'ts For Directing A Play As An Amateur?

Some dos and donts for directing a play as an amateur might include:

Do

Have a big read through with the whole cast present at the beginning of rehearsals.

Explain how you feel you will work on the play

Maintain and good order by using your assistants to keep people in line

Give each actor an objective to achieve in the scene, taken from the script, this will give them something to do on stage.

Plan and be willing to give it all up once rehearsals begin

Don't

Order people about or tell them what to do on stage, they aren't puppets.

Give line readings.  People have to find their own ways of saying the words.

Don't spend a long time discussing anything that isn't relevant to the production.

Waste anyone's time, that's a way to lose their goodwill

Expect it all to go precisely to plan.