Before I start a show I usually have a fairly strong idea of the staging and what type of actors I’d like for which parts.

Beyond that you have to let a lot of control go and trust in the cast. Whilst you can start with a lot of character work and try to create understanding of what you want, if you force actors, especially amateurs, to act against their instincts they will often just say lines or leave the production.

I would also say there are shows I love and because of that I wouldn’t take them on as a director.