Introducing “The Direct-Off”: A New Theatre Competition Where Directors Take Center Stage

nincasting
Jun 17
2 min read

Okaaaaaay! Hello friends and peers of Fake ID, we are finally ready to launch our new event that we have been posting about. Hope you are excited and ready to participate in our new directors challenge! Move over playwrights - this time, it’s all about the directors.

Fake ID Productions is thrilled to announce the launch of a brand new, high-stakes, but all for fun theatre event:The Direct-Off.

What Is “The Direct-Off”?

Imagine three directors. One script.Three entirely different interpretations live, back-to-back, in front of an audience who holds the final vote.

The Direct-Off is a live theatre competition where directors step into the spotlight to showcase their creative vision. Each one takes the same 8–10 page script and stages their own unique version. At the end of the night, the audience votes on which director’s vision hit the hardest.

This is not just a performance, it's a directorial showdown!

Why We Created It

At Fake ID Productions, we’re always looking for ways to spotlight artists, challenge norms, and spark new collaboration. With Script Shuffle thriving as a space for writers and actors, The Direct-Off opens up an exciting platform for directors to experiment, take risks, and shine. It's a celebration of interpretation, timing, tone, blocking, and those subtle choices that make live theatre so thrilling.

How It Works

Three directors are selected to participate.
They receive the same script in advance and cast their own actors.
They can rehearse on their own time before the event.
All three versions are performed at a two-hour live event.
Audience members vote on the winner—live.

We're calling this launch the “Standard Edition”, with clear rules to keep things fair, fun, and focused on directorial vision. Future rounds may introduce wild twists like shared casts, limited props, timed rehearsals, who knows?

When & Where

📍 Los Angeles – at Skiptown Playhouse Date Coming Soon (sometime in August). Stay tuned on our socials. Tickets will be available at fakeidproductions.com

Interested in Directing?

If you're a theatre director in LA looking to flex your creative muscles, The Direct-Off is calling you. Submit here to be considered for an upcoming round, or just come see what it’s all about!