The Actor’s Translator: Decoding the Directorial Note

Stop guessing what the director wants. Translate vague vibes into visceral, playable actions. Take back your agency. Save the performance.

They told you to "be more intense." Now what?

We’ve all been there. You’re mid-scene, pouring your heart out, and the director walks up and gives you a note that feels like a brick wall: "Can you just... make it funnier?" or "You're being too stiff."

A bad note can paralyze a performance. But you don't have to stay stuck.

In this 2-hour intensive, we aren't waiting for the director to get better. We’re giving you the tools to translate vague, result-oriented, or confusing notes into visceral, playable actions.

Learn to:

• Extract the Action: Turn "vague vibes" into concrete objectives.
• The Art of the Ask: Learn how to ask the right questions to get the information you actually need.
• Protect Your Process: Maintain your artistic perspective even when the feedback feels like it's asking you not to.
• Stay Playable: Use the "Translator" method to keep your performance alive, no matter what comes from the booth.

Take back your agency. Transform the note. Save the scene.

About the Instructor

Andrew Roblyer is a Houston-based director, educator, and leadership coach who specializes in the high-stakes intersection of performance and precision. With an MFA in Directing from Randolph College and a decade-long career in medical simulation—including roles as Director of Experiential Learning at UTMB and Founding Director of Clinical Simulation at the University of Houston—Andrew has coached hundreds and hundreds of performers to deliver scripted, authentic emotional encounters in clinical environments and on stage.

Andrew’s expertise lies in the "mechanics of the note." They treat the directorial note not as a command, but as a data point that requires translation. As the founder of The Octarine Accord and This Is Water Theatre, Andrew has directed and produced dozens of works ranging from Shakespeare to immersive sci-fi, always prioritizing the health of the ensemble through the FLAME framework and the ethos of "Reckless Kindness".

They aren’t just a voice from the booth; Andrew is a seasoned actor who has taken the stage in dozens of shows and musicals, including immersive hits like The Man From Beyond. This dual perspective allows them to bridge the gap between "director-speak" and "actor-action," providing artists with the tactical tools to turn vague feedback into visceral performances.