Hi the answer is individuals. Hope this helps.
The first person generally
credited with fulfilling the functions of the modern director was George, Duke
of Saxe- Meiningen. Meiningen was a wealthy aristocrat and head of a small
German principality. In 1826, George, Duke of Saxe- Meiningen and his
morganatic wife started an experimental acting group which was one of the first
companies in which the importance of the director was stressed.
I don't have the story please put it in the comments so I can read it :)
