Which ancient role is related to the modern director's responsibilities?

The role that closely aligns with the modern director's responsibilities is the choregus. In ancient Greek theater, the choregus was a wealthy citizen tasked with funding and overseeing the production of plays. This role involved not only providing financial support but also managing various aspects of the performance, including logistics, training actors, and coordinating the production's artistic elements.

In contemporary theater, the director assumes a similar leadership and creative role. Directors are responsible for interpreting the script, guiding the actors' performances, coordinating technical elements, and making decisions about the overall vision for the production. The choregus' oversight of the production process reflects the director’s multifaceted responsibilities in ensuring that all components of a performance come together cohesively.

Although other roles like the playwright and scenic designer contribute significantly to a production, they do not encapsulate the overall management and creative direction that defines the modern director’s role as effectively as the choregus does.