First-Time Female Director Plot Summary
“First Time Female Director” is a 2024 movie starring Chelsea Peretti in the lead role. Chelsea Peretti is also the writer, director, and producer of the film. The story follows a writer who steps in as a first-time director to ensure the success of the play she has written.
Struggling through rehearsals, Sam confides in her therapist and tries bizarre tactics to manage her cast and ensure the success of her play.
Who is Sam Clifford?
Sam Clifford, a writer at the Regis Theater in California, is offered the opportunity by the theatre’s artistic director to direct her own play, making her the first female director the theatre has ever had. Sam, despite her anxious and nervous personality, accepts the offer.
She regularly sees a therapist, who tends to be critical of Sam, especially when she displays nervousness or becomes overly friendly with her cast. Sam’s play is a family drama set in the South and centered around the theme of rain.
On her first day as director, Sam feels awkward around her cast and later regrets her behavior. Unfortunately, her cast isn’t particularly supportive either, giving her side glances whenever she becomes nervous.
Why is Sam Clifford so stressed about directing the play?
Sam is thrilled about the directing opportunity, but her therapist often undermines her happiness and confidence. During the community meeting for her upcoming play, it is revealed that the previous male director, Greggy Thompson, was fired due to unprofessional relationships with cast members.
This makes Sam even more doubtful about whether she deserves the role or not. During her introductory speech, Sam falters and acts awkward, providing her judgmental cast with ammunition to critique her.
However, she manages to pull through, and even the former director praises her efforts. The reason why Sam feels pressure is because it’s been 29 years since the theater had a female director, and she’s the first. Additionally, she’s aware that her predecessors were highly experienced.
Why is Sam fired?
Sam’s journey as a theatre director proves consuming and challenging from the start. The first step is the table read for the play, which lasts over 3 hours but goes smoothly, with everyone loving the script. The next day, Sam brings in people from different cultural backgrounds to help the actors understand their characters better.
During this time, Rudy, one of the leads, asks Sam for a private chat, indirectly hinting that he wants her directorial position. On the first day of rehearsals, Sam tries to connect with the cast but fails, and they mock her behind her back. The following day, Sam tries to bond with everyone by inviting them on a hike.
As the days pass, the tech rehearsal arrives, but the sprinklers that are used to simulate rain malfunction, ruining everything. To make matters worse, the play’s sponsors witness the debacle. At the premiere, feeling insecure, Sam writes a monologue for one of the opening characters that unintentionally offends many people.
After the play, some environmental activists sabotage the production by splashing red paint on the actors and Sam. During the Q&A session, Sam also faces criticism from activists for wasting water to create fake rain. Overwhelmed, Sam has a meltdown on stage, venting all her frustrations, which ultimately leads to her being fired.
Does Sam finally find fulfillment?
After being fired, Rudie is appointed as the play director. Sam encounters Greggy, who attempts to seduce her, but she leaves, considering his past behavior. When the show re-opens, Rudie receives loud applause and multiple standing ovations from the audience.
Meanwhile, Sam is seen entering an office, revealing that she now works for a finance firm. She confesses that she never truly enjoyed the arts and finds fulfillment in finance instead. The movie concludes with Greggy marrying his true love.