Here's why and some possible Greek terms:
* Ancient Greek Theatre: In Ancient Greek theatre, playwrights were also the directors. They were responsible for the entire production, including writing, casting, staging, and rehearsals. The word for playwright was "δραματουργός" (dramaturgos). This role was much broader than a modern director.
* Modern Usage: Today, we have a more specific role for the director.
* One option could be "σκηνοθέτης" (skēnothētēs), which means "stage-setter" or "one who arranges the stage." This is a close approximation but still not a perfect translation.
* Another option is "διοικητής θεάτρου" (dioikētēs theatrou), meaning "manager of the theatre," which emphasizes the overall responsibility of the director.
* Ultimately, the closest translation to "theatre director" in modern Greek would be "σκηνοθέτης" (skēnothētēs), as it is the most commonly used term for the role.
It's important to note that even in modern Greek, the term "σκηνοθέτης" (skēnothētēs) doesn't convey the full breadth of the director's role in contemporary theatre.