Edmiston described the relationship between a director and a producer of a play.

"As a director, I like to let my emotions run free," he said. "A producer's job is to whittle away at my ideas because of the budget."

Edmiston also let the audience in on the secret to his success--encouraging directors to let the actors play a role in directing the performance. When an actor asks him a question, Edmiston said, he responds "What do you think you should do?"

Engel cited some events in the spring as evidence that the Boston community is still actively engaged in theater. The Boston Theater Marathon, held the day before the Boston Marathon, is one of the newest innovations. It is a series of ten-minute plays composed by some of Boston's top playwrights.

When the directors explained why the theater industry has not withered away despite television's intrusion, they described some qualities they said make theater a timeless art.

"I think there's a real human need to be in the same room with people sharing a spiritual experience," Edmiston said.

And Richardson added: "When the community comes, we want them to have an experience not only with us but with each other."

The forum, organized by Dudley House Drama Fellow Valerie H. Weiss, was intended to give graduate students tips on breaking into the professional drama circuit, as well as a chance to meet authorities in the field.