130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

Force It Into Existence

And 99 More Notes On Theatre Directing
Brief Description
Theatre is a hugely competitive industry. Formal training is inaccessible to many. So how can you get your foot in the door? This book reveals the secrets of starting, developing and sustaining a career as a theatre director. In 100 short, entertaining notes on everything from... Read More
Format: Hardback
$13200
Pre-order
Releases 12th November 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Force It Into Existence" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

Found a better price? Request a price match

A practical and motivational guide to self-starting and sustaining a career as a theatre director.

A practical and motivational guide to self-starting and sustaining a career as a theatre director.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Theatre is a hugely competitive industry. Formal training is inaccessible to many. So how can you get your foot in the door?

This book reveals the secrets of starting, developing and sustaining a career as a theatre director.

In 100 short, entertaining notes on everything from fundraising to failure, award-winning artistic director James Grieve uncovers the steps you need to supercharge your career. It's not what you know or who you know β€” it's how much you want to know.

In this entrepreneurial guide you will learn:

  • how to get started as a theatre director without formal qualifications
  • how to develop your craft on your own terms
  • how to become an unstoppable force in the face of setbacks and failures
  • how to navigate every step of production from rehearsal prep to press night
  • how to grow as a leader, manager and CEO of your own career
  • how to deploy practical techniques and inspirational ideas to sustain you as a director and artistic director

Don't wait for the phone to ring. Get cracking. Be the director of your own destiny and force it into existence. It starts here.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781350526310

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 12 November 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Methuen Drama

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 240

About the Author

James Grieve MBE is an award-winning theatre director. He was formerly Artistic Director of the UK’s national theatre of new plays Paines Plough where he oversaw 49 world premiere productions on tour to more than 300 places across the UK and internationally, and launched Roundabout; the world's first pop-up plug-and-play theatre. He has directed new plays by some of the UK’s leading writers including Mike Bartlett, James Graham, Kae Tempest, Tom Wells, Penelope Skinner, Elinor Cook and Sam Steiner. His acclaimed productions of new plays, classics and musicals have been seen in the UK, North America and across Europe. James was formerly Associate Director at the Bush Theatre and founder of new writing company nabokov. He was awarded an MBE in 2020 for services to theatre.

Also by James Grieve

View all
  • Pre-order
    Force It Into Existence
    Theatre is a hugely competitive industry. Formal training is inaccessible to many. So how can you get your foot in the door? Force It Into Existence reveals the secrets of starting, developing, and sustaining a career as a theatre director. In 100 short, entertaining notes on everything from fundraising to failure, award-winning artistic director James Grieve uncovers the steps you...
    Paperback
    $4099
    Pre-order
    Out 24 Dec 2026

More from Arts & Culture

View all
  • Dylan's Pick
    Bold Types
    A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...
    Hardback
    $5999
    Elsewhere:
    $7000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    I’ll Believe in Anything
    From Jacob Tierney, the creator ofΒ Heated Rivalry, in partnership with Brendan Brady and AccentΒ Aigu, comesΒ I’llΒ Believe in Anything, an official and complete collection of annotated scripts for the biggest cultural sensation of the year, with all new exclusive behind-the-scenes content.Based on Rachel Reid’s blockbuster Game Changers book series,Β Heated RivalryΒ premiered on Crave and HBO in late 2025 andΒ immediatelyΒ took the world by storm.Β I’ll...
    Hardback
    $5499
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Home Again
    Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoirΒ Home Again.This is more than a rock story.Β Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it.Β From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Odyssey
    Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3599
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Iliad
    When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017β€”revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)β€”critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an...
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Birdlands Birdlands
    New Release
    Birdlands
    A rare, intimate journey into the wild islands where Aotearoa's birds live beyond the reach of most human lives. In the most remote outposts of Aotearoa, our islands are populated not with people, but with birds. From the storm-lashed Subantarctic Islands in the deep south to the scattered volcanic islands of Tikapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf in the north, Birdlands offers a...
    Hardback
    $4199
    Elsewhere:
    $5000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...
    Hardback
    $4499
    Elsewhere:
    $5299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Split Enz
    New Release
    Split Enz
    'My favourite band. Ever! And certainly the best dressed.' Sam Neill Split Enz were never designed to fit. Emerging from art school mischief in early-1970s New Zealand, they turned pop into surreal theatre: costume, character and melody colliding in a rock band that refused to behave like one. At the centre of that vision was Noel Crombieβ€”percussionist, performer and the...
    Hardback
    $5199
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Artist's Way
    The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is a transformative guidebook that has captivated millions, including luminaries such as Elizabeth Gilbert and Tim Ferriss. With its profound ability to inspire and elevate, this book invites readers to embark on an enriching creative journey, fostering a deeper connection to one's artistic process and sense of purpose. The heart of Cameron's groundbreaking programme...
    Paperback
    $3700
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • This Angry Pen of Mine
    This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...
    Hardback
    $7299
    Elsewhere:
    $8999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Life in Lyrics
    Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest showmen of the twentieth century. With his unparalleled voice and searing on-stage energy, he was a great pretender, a killer queen and a champion of the world. But behind the glamour lived a musician and lyricist talented beyond measure, and the creative force behind one of the most culturally significant and musically diverse...
    Hardback
    $5000
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    Pre-order
    Out
  • Starside
    Enter the enchanting and deadly world of Starside, where swords have magic and power isn’t inherited – it’s claimed, from No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Alex Aster.Hundreds of years ago, a brutal war split a land in two. Starside is the realm of magic and immortals – the descendants of the gods, living in a power-rich paradise. Stormside...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3899
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.