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I was asked to do a Shakespeare piece for the my school's Winter Arts Festival. I chose to do The Most Lamentable Comedy of Pyramus and Thisby from Midsummer Night's Dream.

Any advice for someone who has never directed anything before?

Everything is about give and take, but remember that your vision is the ulitmate vision of the play. Be open to the actor's suggestions, but if you have a certain vision in mind, don't let them taint it - only improve on it.

Remember that when the day comes for the performance, you need to let go. There's nothing you can do anymore, so you need to worry less. Whatever happens, happens. If you did your jog well, then be proud. We can't control everything as a director.

Get competent help. Don't do everything yourself (IE. Make-up, Costume, etc) Have your ideas and assign people to go get it/make the stuff. I'm not saying don't do some of it, but you'll put yourself in a frenzy if you try and do absolutely everything yourself. Remember, your title is "director" not "God."

Lastly, most people think it's best not to see movies or plays on the thing your about to direct, but it's really your choice. If you're the kind of person who tends to borrow stuff so much it's really not your own, then try to avoid watching different versions of your play. If you like to see some options, but ultimately have your own way of doing things, than seeing some variations might help.