So. I'm directing a musical this semester...and not just any musical. I'm directing the cheesiest musical, anywhere, ever. I'm directing High School Musical.

Much like learning how to bake the crunchiest peanut butter cookie, or sizzling up a most superb stir fry (or as character Zeke says, "making the perfect creme brulee") I've found directing has a very exact recipe.

You'll need:
- teaspoon of time
- a pinch of patience
- organization -- preferably organic
- several cups of communication
- thick skin
- farm-fresh creativity
- essence of ability to look like you've got it under control
- 30 eager actors
- 1 production team, at room temperature
- ounces of optimism

(Collecting these items may be simple, but it's combining them that requires the real finesse)

1. You'll want to sprinkle all of your ingredients with communication, but save the thick skin for dealing with the production team. That's where you'll really need it.

2. Creativity and patience should be whipped together, with time folded in afterwards.

3. (I find that mixing the production team and actors can make your final product sour, so keep seperate until ready to bake)

4. Stir in your optimism to the communication-combo, then add to the production team in a seperate bowl. Bake at 500 degrees for two months...

5. ...the ability to look like you've got it under control can be the icing on top.

6. Once cooled, you should have a great show, a happy cast, an entertained audience, and satisfied production crew.

But then again, this is a recipe I'm still experimenting with.