Shows
ATW - SDCF Masters of the StageStaging Revivals: Marcia Milgrom Dodge and Chet WalkerAt the SDCF 2013 Emerging Artist Symposium on Musicals on May 20, 2013, internationally-acclaimed director/choreographers Chet Walker and Marcia Milgrom Dodge shared their expertise of applying a fresh perspective to the revival of a musical subsequent to an iconic production.
2013-10-2300 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageOn collaboration: Marshall MasonAt the SDCF 2013 Emerging Artist Symposium on Plays on June 17, 2013, SDCF hosted legendary director Marshall Mason to speak about his extraordinary collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson and his approach to working with actors.
2013-10-1700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageMarianne Weems And Erica Laird: Directing With Technology and MultimediaAt its 2013 Symposium on Plays, Marianne Weems and Erica Laird of The Builders Association spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi about the process of creating theatre with heavy use of multi-media elements. Listen as they share the intricacies involved in rehearsing and maintaining a piece when working with both human and non-human counterparts and how to fuse the two symbiotically to create a piece of holistic, organic art. These innovative theatre artists speak to a director’s responsibility when dealing with these mediums and identifying the financial and professional requirements of mounting and sustaining such a visionary art form.
2013-10-0300 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirecting and Choreographing New Musicals: Dan KnechtgesAt its 2013 Emerging Artist Symposium on Musicals, SDCF hosted Tony-nominated Dan Knechtges ("Lysistrata Jones," "Xanadu," "Spelling Bee") in conversation with Producing Director Ellen Rusconi on his experiences directing and choreographing new musicals. From his theatre experiences while growing up in Cleveland to his transition from performer to director/choreographer, this discussion - peppered with a dash of humor, sentiment, and survival jobs - examines Dan’s process of learning to create musical theatre and launching a career. The conversation explores key tactics when working with stage managers and writers, time management when developing a new work, and elevating taste in th...
2013-09-2600 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDiscovering Talent and New Work: Robyn GoodmanAt its 2013 Emerging Artist Symposium on Musicals, Robyn Goodman, Commercial Producer and Founder of Second Stage Theatre, spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi about discovering talent and developing new work in today's dynamic theatre climate. Goodman ("Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella," "Avenue Q," "In the Heights," "Altar Boyz") infuses her perspective as an actor turned producer with a well-rounded view of a production from page to stage and everything in between. Listen as she offers insight on keeping up with trending audience interest and younger sensibilities, procuring a strong design team, giving a memorable interview, and recognizing commercial viability in...
2013-09-1100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageOne on One with Steven HoggettOn July 13, 2013, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation hosted a One-on-One Conversation with acclaimed Director, Choreographer, and Movement Director Steven Hoggett ("Blackwatch", "Peter and the Starcatcher", "Once") discussing his artistic vision, career trajectory, and rehearsal processes. Moderated by Ryan Donovan, the conversation explores Steven’s journey from his beginning as a self-sustaining artist in Wales with Frantic Assembly to his big-budget ventures on Broadway and around the world. Topics discussed include staging musical transitions, budgetary and spatial influences on artistic freedom, the unique aspects of the American theatre industry, and the value of deep collaboration when creating theater.
2013-08-3000 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageOne on One with Pam MacKinnon and Kathleen MarshallIn a One-on-One Conversation on June 12, 2013, award-winning directors Pam MacKinnon and Kathleen Marshall spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi about building their artistic careers. Listen as they discuss the nuts and bolts of the rehearsal process, from the Illuminating qualities of auditions and early design meetings to the continuous evolution of a piece as gauged by audience, producers, and associates. This candid conversation offers practical knowledge about creating career inroads, aligning collaborators and continuously developing craft.
2013-08-2600 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageA Director's LifeA Director's Life: Creative Development and Renewal – On June 18, 2011, SDCF Executive Director Laura Penn moderated a panel at the TCG conference featuring Gil Cates, Curt Columbus, Jeffrey Horowitz, Susan Medak, Madeline Puzo, and Julie Taymor to consider the centrality of the director's role in theatre.
2013-08-0100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageMoises Kaufman and Mary OverlieOn May 19th, 1999, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation hosted a One-on-One Conversation with Moisés Kaufman, director, playwright, and founder of Tectonic Theater Project, and Mary Overlie, the creator of Viewpoints. Hear these two singular artists discuss theatrical theory and relate it to their work: Kaufman as he creates The Laramie Project with his company, Overlie in developing Viewpoints. This is an insightful conversation between two artists who thrive on exploration and breaking into new forms.
2013-06-2000 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirector/FounderOn May 6th, 2013, Oliver Butler of The Debate Society and Jack E. Cummings III of Transport Group spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi on their experiences simultaneously managing a directing career and theatrical company. The in-depth discussion follows the ebb and flow of two singular directing careers each affected by a loyalty to their own growing theatre companies. Listen as they explore how changing cultural and economic trends affect a theatre company’s ability to sustain itself and the dichotomy that exists when looking for work outside of the company.
2013-06-0700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageFight DirectionOn April 8, 2013, Fight Directors Erica Gould and Rick Sordelet spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi to discuss the responsibilities and roles of theatre’s fight directors. Gain a better understanding of the role of the fight director and the support he or she provides in storytelling on stage.
2013-05-2300 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageRunning Regional TheatresOn January 7, 1987, Artistic Directors Nagle Jackson (of Hartford Stage) and Mark Lamos (of McCarter Theatre) sat down with Mary Robinson to speak about leadership in regional theatre. This focused discussion will enlighten the listener about the art of choosing a season, how your audience can affect play selection, and the work of maintaining a repertory theatre.
2013-05-0900 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageWomen in ChicagoOn Tuesday, December 4, 2012, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society hosted a panel on women directors and choreographers in Chicago with panelists Rachel Rockwell, Joanie Schultz, Kimberly Senior, and Leigh Silverman, moderated by Michael Halberstam. Together, the panel and the audience strive to answer the question, "How can all of us - our collaborators, theatres, service organizations - support the growth and furtherance of women as directors and choreographers?"
2013-04-2500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StagePlaywright/Director 1987In 1987, SDCF and the Dramatists Guild jointly held a panel discussion exploring the symbiotic and complex relationship between playwright and director. Peter Stone moderates a panel of Playwrights and Directors including Sam Bobrick, Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, David Henry Hwang, Bernet Kellman, Tom Moore, David Rosenak, Gene Saks, and Stephen Tobolowsky.
2013-04-0400 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageManaging Your CareerIn 1999, SDCF held a panel about Managing Your Career featuring panelists Steve Bolerjack, Leigh Giroux, Noah Kimerling, Brett Singer and Ross Wisdom to discuss their various areas of expertise – accounting and taxes, legal issues, and publicity for artists – and how to apply their knowledge to better run the business of your professional life to allow you to grow and develop your artistic career.
2013-03-2100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageMaximizing Your Relationship With Sound DesignersOn Tuesday, December 6, 2011, SDC's Gretchen Michelfeld spoke with sound designers Jill BC Du Boff (Good People, Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home), Brett Jarvis (Kiki and Herb--Alive on Broadway!, The Donkey Show), and Rob Kaplowitz (Fela!, Pumpgirl) to find out how to work with designers to maximize the creativity and productivity of sound design.
2013-03-0700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageUnderstanding AutomationOn January 7, 2013, SDCF spoke with Production Managers/Technical Directors David Benken and Martin Pavloff about Understanding Automation: What Every Director Should Know. Whether you are a producer, director, choreographer, actor, designer, or theatre fan, this conversation allows the listener a comprehensive overview of automation in theatre and provides the understanding necessary to maximize your working relationship with your technical director.
2013-02-2100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageTheatre for Social ChangeAt SDCF on December 17, 2012, SDCF hosted a discussion of Theatre for Social Change with guests Erik Ehn and Kamilah Forbes moderated by SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi. Listen in as they discuss their experience in creating theatre to explore social issues and communal events and in founding producing organizations to further this work.
2013-02-0700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageRobert LewisIn New York on November 2, 1987, SDCF hosted a talk by Robert Lewis, a founding member of Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, The Group Theatre, and the Actors’ Studio. He speaks with great charisma and dynamism of his experiences in theatre and his view of the evolution of theatre around the world in the 20th century.
2013-01-2400 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageEffective PlaywritingOn February 27, 1986, SDCF held a conversation on Effective Playwriting with Stephen Porter and Howard Rossen moderated by Stephen Fife, on effective playwriting. In illustrating their points, they use examples of the various techniques of playwrights including Somerset Maugham, David Mamet, Marsha Norman, Pinter, Shaw, Simon and Williams.
2013-01-1000 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDowntown Opportunities for Directors and ChoreographersOn October 1, 1998, SDCF hosted a panel on Downtown Opportunities for Directing and Choreography featuring producers from the vibrant downtown NY theatre scene including John Clancy, Ellie Covan, Kristin Marting, Wendy Rohan, Mark Russell, and David Tyree. These artistic leaders at the head of particularly prolific producing and presenting organizations discuss everything an artist or producer needs to know about working through these organizations. They explain why it is absolutely imperative to visit the space and understand the work of the organization before applying to the organization. They talk about their desire to create communities, and they shed light on the...
2012-12-2000 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirecting OperaOn September 25, 1996, James Graves, Associate Director of SDCF, moderated a panel about Directing Opera. Panelists included Lillian Garrett-Groag, Mark Lamos, and Rhoda Levine. With great vibrancy and humor, the panelists consider the challenges of working in foreign countries, methods to navigate working in a foreign language, and the skills and knowledge necessary for theatre artists to work in opera. Most interestingly, their backgrounds are varied: a choreographer (Ms. Levine), a musician and actor (Mr. Lamos), and a multi-lingual director immersed in opera since childhood (Ms. Garrett-Groag). They delve deeply into the Director/Conductor relationship and elucidate the reasons why this...
2012-11-2900 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageCareer TransitionsOn November 20, 1996, SDCF in partnership with The Drama League explored the subject of Career Transitions with a panel of four Directors and Choreographers - Seth Barrish, Kathleen Marshall, Richard Sabellico, and Marlies Yearby - who had recently reached a new point in career. Listen to this discussion to discover how their transitions came about, the experiences and encounters that led these artists to new opportunities on projects with higher profiles, and the challenges to process that come with working on a larger platform. This honest and informative conversation, led by David Diamond of SDCF and Roger Danforth of the The...
2012-11-0800 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirecting GreenOn October 1, 2012, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation in partnership with Broadway Green Alliance (BGA) held a conversation entitled "Directing Green" at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York. Director/Choreographer John Carrafa, SDC’s representative to BGA, led this discussion, which starts with Allen Hershkowitz, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), describing the state of the global environment and the critical role the entertainment industry can play in adopting better practices. He emphasizes that taking even a small step towards better practices makes a difference. After this accessible overview, some of those leading a more environmentally-friendly theatre wo...
2012-10-2500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageIntellectual PropertyIn 1996, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation and the Drama League co-sponsored a discussion with then SDC Executive Director Barbara Hauptman, SDC Attorney Ron Shechtman, and director Pamela Berlin moderated by David Diamond about protection of intellectual property rights for stage directors. Through personal anecdotes regarding the controversial productions of "Love! Valour! Compassion!" originally directed by Joe Mantello and "The Most Happy Fella" directed by Gerald Gutierrez which set the precedent for future legal battles, the conversation illustrates the extent to which the work of a director can be protected, the methods by which the accused theaters came about the...
2012-10-1100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDeveloping MusicalsOn July 23, 2012, Director Stafford Arima (2012 revisal of "Carrie," "Altar Boyz") and Director/Choreographer Christopher Windom ("Central Avenue Breakdown") spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi at a Director/Chroeographer Network panel hosted by The New York Musical Theatre Festival discussion about developing new musicals. These two artists offer their experiences in developing musicals in a variety of ways - festivals, workshops, regional productions - and share insight into his individual process, including thoughts on what can and cannot be accomplished artistically in the fast-paced festival setting. They discuss the benefits and challenges of presenting a new work in a festival...
2012-09-2800 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageCritics' Perceptions of Directors' WorkOn March 1, 1984 director James Furlong moderated a panel of theater critics featuring Theater Editor for Village Voice Erika Munk, Theater Critic for WNEW-TV Stewart Klein, and Theater Critic for New York Magazine John Simon. They address the impact of good and bad reviews and the dynamic relationship between theater artists and critics. The discussion includes what these particular critics perceive as good direction, the criteria they use when analyzing a director's work, and how they follow directors' careers and watch for trends. This exciting conversation opens a window into the world of theater critics and their relationship with the rest...
2012-09-0700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StagePolitics in the TheatreOn October 28, 1985, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation invited Peter Zeisler to moderate a panel featuring journalists Thulani Davis and Erika Munk, playwright William Hoffman, and directors Rhoda Levine, Judith Malina, and Emily Mann. They speak in-depth about the role of theatre in society in the past, present, and how it is evolving into the future. In this conversation, theatre’s reach and impact is compared to the mediums of film and television. Other topics include how fiction can convey political reality and why particular issues should be examined in the theatre. This lively discussion gets to the heart of the im...
2012-08-3000 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageProducers Symposium 1983On February 25, 1983, director Nola Hague moderated a panel featuring esteemed producers Nelle Nugent, T. Edward Hambleton, and Michel Stuart, and director Judith Haskell. This passionate and experienced group spoke about the collaboration between directors and producers. Drawing from personal experience they share their beliefs on qualities that constitute a good director and producer. They divulge lessons learned from experiences over the span of their careers. Other topics include the differing approaches to collaboration across the country and the director's role vs. the producer's role in the process of cultivating the creative team. This discussion delves deeply into the intricate dynamics...
2012-08-0900 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageArtistic DirectorsIn 1999, SDCF hosted a panel moderated by Executive Director of SSDC, Barbara Hauptman featuring Artistic Director of Adobe Theatre Company Jeremy Dobrish, Artistic Director of Drama Dept. Theatre Company Douglas Carter Beane, Artistic Director of Blue Light Theater Company Greg Naughton, Artistic Director of Abingdon Theatre Company Jan Buttram, and Co-Artistic Director of The Barrow Group Seth Barrish. The panelists discuss the importance of the collaborative approach and sense of community within their companies, and the challenge of finding a director who shares their sense of purpose. Since directors aren't auditioned the way actors are, selecting a new director can...
2012-07-2600 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageCopyright, Fair Use, and ParodyOn April 24, 2012, SDCF hosted entertainment attorney Neil Rosini, of Franklin, Weinrib, Vassallo, and Rudell, to speak about how artists can use existing work to create new work without infringing on copyright. Rosini paints a clear picture of the nature of rights under copyright. He covers reproduction, adaptation, distribution, public performance, and public display. Other topics include the infringement of copyright and the fair use defense. Rosini also covers how to test for transformativeness when working on parody. This conversation provides a thorough overview of the in's and out's of copyright law. (Mr. Rosini wishes to note that the references to...
2012-07-1200 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageOne-on-One with Elizabeth LeCompte and Young Jean LeeOn Saturday, May 19, 2012, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) hosted a One-on-One Conversation at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater with award-winning theatre makers Elizabeth LeCompte, Founding Member and Director of The Wooster Group, and Young Jean Lee, Artistic Director of Young Jean Lee's Theater Company. Moderated by Kristin Marting, Co-Founder/Artistic Director of HERE, these two highly accomplished, adventurous theatre artists talk about how they build their visionary works, the controversies they create, gender issues, critical response to their work, how they view failure, and why they believe their companies continue to thrive in the downtown, experimental theatre scene.
2012-06-2800 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageAdaptation RightsOn April 2, 2012, SDCF invited entertainment attorney Elliot Brown to speak about securing theatrical adaptation rights with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi. Brown gives animated examples of when adaptation rights are and are not necessary. He sheds light on how to start the process of engaging an attorney when interested in creating a piece of theater from an article, book, or film and he walks through what the concerns are of the rights-holder. Brown also speaks about standard arrangements, translation, and public domain. This is an engaging dialogue about the do's and don'ts of adaptation.
2012-06-1500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageOne on One Conversation with Taylor Mac and Lee BreuerOn May 14, 2012, SDCF hosted a One-on-One conversation at the Axis Theatre Company in New York between theatre artists Lee Breuer and Taylor Mac, hybrid theatre artists of limitless imagination and inventiveness working mostly in experimental theatre both nationally and internationally, moderated by Mark Russell, Artistic Director and Producer of the Under the Radar Festival produced by The Public Theater. These artists, who work in multiple disciplines, discuss gaining power through their individuality and originality and identify those singular artists and companies from the past, most notably Charles Ludlam and The Ridiculous Theatre, whose work has inspired and influenced their own...
2012-05-3100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageConversation with Walter Bobbie and Sam GoldOn April 30, 2012, SDCF hosted a One-on-One conversation between Walter Bobbie and Sam Gold moderated by John Clinton Eisner. They discuss their shared background in performance and respective discoveries that they are better suited for directing. Bobbie shares his career trajectory and the strategic choices he made in order to become the artist he wants to be. Gold speaks about building a New York based career and how the turning point in his career came so quickly. Both directors go into great detail about how they find collaborators, how to give notes to a director, and the generous professionals who helped...
2012-05-1700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirecting Shakespeare: Casting - It's A BearOn April 29, 2001 members of a Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation panel simulated a first casting session of "The Winter's Tale". The discussion is moderated by Artistic Producer of the Joseph Papp Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival Rosemarie Tichler and featured Casting Directors Stuart Howard and Jordan Thaler.
2012-05-0300 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirecting Shakespeare: What's It All About Willy Part 2On April 28, 2001, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation invited Arthur Bartow, Artistic Director of the Drama Department at NYU Tisch, to moderate a conversation between Michael Lupu, Senior Dramaturg at the Guthrie Theater; Mark Bly, Associate Artistic Director of Yale Rep; Louis Scheeder of Classical Studio NYU Tisch; and freelance director Daniel Fish about working on Shakespeare. This discussion gives great insight into the role of dramaturgs in assisting directors; their visions of a successful dramaturg; and how dramaturgs work with the text. This program is the second half of the conversation.
2012-04-1900 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirecting Shakespeare: What's It All About Willy Part 1On April 28, 2001, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation invited Arthur Bartow, Artistic Director of the Drama Department at NYU Tisch, to moderate a conversation between Michael Lupu, Senior Dramaturg at the Guthrie Theater; Mark Bly, Associate Artistic Director of Yale Rep; Louis Scheeder of Classical Studio NYU Tisch; and freelance director Daniel Fish about working on Shakespeare. This discussion gives great insight into the role of dramaturgs in assisting directors; their visions of a successful dramaturg; and how dramaturgs work with the text. This program is the first half of the conversation.
2012-04-0500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirecting Shakespeare: The Nature of DesignIn 2001, five directors in the "Directing Shakespeare Symposium" sat down with moderator and set designer Ming Cho Lee for a unique experiment regarding the relationship between director and designers, specifically concerning a Shakespearean text. A mock first production meeting was held for an imaginary staging of "A Winter's Tale," with the designers being told to end the meeting with the inspiration to go home, pick up a pencil, and not need to talk with the director for the next two weeks. They discussed many crucial aspects of the first few stages in the artistic process, such as their initial emotional...
2012-03-2200 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2011 DCN: Scenic DesignersOn Monday, June 27th, 2011, SDC's Gretchen Michelfeld talked to veteran scenic designers Rachel Hauck (The Public, BAM, The Vineyard, South Coast Rep, Eugene O'Neill Resident Set Designer) and Nick Francone (Prospect Theater Company, SPF, Six Figures, New Georges, E.S.T., Santa Fe Opera, assistant on Wicked and Opera) about their experiences collaborating with a variety of directors. They discussed aspects of successful production meetings, dealing with repertory sets, the strangest designs they have made, and offer advice to young directors. This is an enlightening discussion on the successes and struggles in the lives of professional scenic designers.
2012-03-0800 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirecting Shakespeare: Working The TextOn April 28, 2001, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation invited NYU voice and dialect coach Deborah Hecht, Juilliard Chairman of Voice and Speech Ralph Zito, director Mark Lamos, actor Oni Faida Lampley, and actor Boris McGiver for a conversation about the importance of text work. Louis Scheeder, Director and Founder of Classical Studio at NYU Tisch moderates. Topics include speech interpretation, the process of making stylistic choices, and the necessities of physical endurance.
2012-02-2300 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2011 DCN: Broadway Stage Managers' Secrets RevealedOn May 25th, 2011, SDC's Gretchen Michelfeld spoke with three Broadway Production Stage Managers about their experiences. Stage Managers Jill Cordle (Jerusalem), Heather Cousens (Spring Awakening), and Ira Mont (Arcadia) give advice to early career directors on time management, speak to building trust and collaboration, and discuss the smartest things they've seen directors do. They offer first-hand knowledge on the relationship between directors and stage managers.
2012-02-0900 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirecting Shakespeare: Shakespeare's TheatreIn 2001, Michael Lupu, senior dramaturg for the Guthrie Theatre, provided directors at the "Directing Shakespeare Symposium" with a brief lesson he called "Shakespeare 101." In this twenty-minute discussion Lupu talks about audience expectations in the Elizabethan period, the history of Shakespeare's company "Lord Chamberlain's Men," and how the shifting of Shakespeare's theatre midway through his career may have affected his writing. Lupu enlists the help of designer Ming Cho Lee to explain the type of theatre in which Shakespeare was working, and how the intimate, single-room performance space of the Globe Theatre shaped almost every moment in Shakespeare's work. Other topics...
2012-01-2500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageIn Conversation With... Moisés KaufmanIn July 2011, Thomas Kail sat in conversation with Moisés Kaufman at the SDC offices. In this exchange, Thomas and Moises traverse career beginnings, varying paths of directors, and the struggles involved with telling stories rooted in historical events on stage.
2012-01-1200 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageIn Conversation With... Joe MantelloDirectors rarely get the opportunity to spend time and share ideas in a room with other directors. This new one-on-one conversation series was conceived by director Thomas Kail to give himself, and his peers, an opportunity to do just that. This series of conversations explores topics that stretch from finding the spark in their work, making a life as a director, and how they landed on this side of the table. Each director's vision is distinct, and their way of working is their own, but this series also addresses all they have in common beyond the shared title. In June 2011...
2011-12-2900 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageIn Conversation With... Susan StromanIn July 2011, Thomas Kail sat in conversation with Susan Stroman in her office in Manhattan. They discuss her early exposure to the theatre and her impulse to pursue directing and choreographing professionally. The conversation also includes the importance of creating one's own opportunities, the unique aspects of touring productions, and the necessity of deep collaboration when creating theater.
2011-12-1500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageIn Conversation With... Jason MooreDirectors rarely get the opportunity to spend time and share ideas in a room with other directors. This new one-on-one conversation series was conceived by director Thomas Kail to give himself, and his peers, an opportunity to do just that. This series of conversations explores topics that stretch from finding the spark in their work, making a life as a director, and how they landed on this side of the table. Each director's vision is distinct, and their way of working is their own, but this series also addresses all they have in common beyond the shared title.In June 2011...
2011-12-0100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageIn Conversation With... Alex TimbersDirectors rarely get the opportunity to spend time and share ideas in a room with other directors. This new one-on-one conversation series was conceived by director Thomas Kail to give himself, and his peers, an opportunity to do just that. This series of conversations explores topics that stretch from finding the spark in their work, making a life as a director, and how they landed on this side of the table. Each director's vision is distinct, and their way of working is their own, but this series also addresses all they have in common beyond the shared title.In June 2011...
2011-11-1700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2002 Symposium: Hal PrinceAt its 2002 Symposium, Director of Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, Joe Miloscia, welcomed everyone to the symposium and introduced then Executive Director of SSDC Barbara Hauptman. Barbara introduced the two speakers: V.P. and Managing Director of The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation Rob Marx who moderated a talk with accomplished director and producer Hal Prince. The conversation focused on Hal's personal take on the making of new musicals and the fostering of new talent. Topics covered include the importance of mentorship, artistic process, how the relationship between producers and directors has changed, and what institutions are supporting...
2011-11-1000 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2003 Symposium: Keynote by Scott ElliottAt its 2003 Symposium SDCF invited Scott Elliott, freelance director and Artistic Director of The New Group, to give a keynote speech on directing in multiple mediums, running a theatre company, and life as an artist. SDC Observer of Scott Elliott, Mark Robinson, moderated the talk. Topics include why Elliott shifted from performing to directing, how New Group got its start, the evolution of work done at New Group, what he looks for when hiring a director, working with independent vs. commercial producers, and process. This thought-provoking conversation covers the diverse aspects of artistic leadership.
2011-10-2700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2003 Symposium: Musical TheatreSDCF hosted a Symposium on Musical Theatre in 2003 moderated by Daniella Topol, then the National Alliance Musical Theatre's New Works Program Director. The panel featured "Urinetown" director John Rando, then Artistic Director of Musical Theatre Works Thomas Cott, then Artistic Director of North Shore Music Theatre Jon Kimbell, General Manager Nancy Gibbs, Choreographer of "Zanna, Don't!" Devanand Janki, and Director Gabriel Barre. The panel discussed how new musicals are developed and ways institutions and artists can work together to foster the future of musical theatre. Each member provides a different perspective on new musicals and their life in New York...
2011-10-1300 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2010 DCN: Directors Programs ApplicationsAt its October 2010 Director-Choreographer-Network, SDC Director of Member Services Barbara Wolkoff moderated a panel featuring SDCF's Director of Foundation Ellen Rusconi, Theatre Communications Group's Director of Artistic Programs Emilya Cachapero, and The Drama League's Artistic Director Roger Danforth. Topics cover programs offered, what constitutes a successful candidate and application, interview tips, plus insider advice from previous program applicants who were awarded the opportunity. This conversation is an exciting and clear look into a successful application process.
2011-09-2900 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2011 Emerging Artists Symposium: OpportunitiesAt its 2011 Emerging Artists Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel moderated by Ellen Rusconi and featuring Ars Nova's Artistic Director Jason Eagen, Manhattan Theatre Club's Artistic Line Producer Lisa McNulty, Playwrights Horizons' Artistic Staff Associate Briel Steinberg, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's Program Manager Haowen Wang, and Brooklyn Arts Council's Regrant Director Ethany Uttech. The discussion centers on various opportunities for emerging directors and choreographers in New York City. The opportunities covered include grants, internships, assistantships, residencies, and festivals. Each panel member discussed in detail how emerging artists can get involved with their institution, interview tips, information sessions at BAC and LMCC...
2011-09-0800 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2011 Emerging Artists Symposium: Get Your Work OnAt its 2011 Emerging Artists Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel moderated by Ellen Rusconi and featuring established freelance theater artists Jeremy Dobrish, Sarah Maxfield, Daniel Talbott, and Wendy Seyb. Topics cover the career trajectories of these established freelance artists from start to the current moment, the term "emerging" versus "established" artist, how they got jobs at the start of their career vs. how they get jobs now, agents, what constitutes a successful collaboration, and everyday steps early career artists can take to further their career. This conversation is an inspiring window into how to get started and sustain a career as...
2011-08-2500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDavid Cromer and Michael HalberstamIn May 2011 SDCF hosted a One on One Conversation with freelance director David Cromer and Artistic Director of Writers' Theater Michael Halberstam. The conversation covers how they come to their projects, previews and reviews, the danger of facing no obstacles in a process, and their artistic approach. Michael and David shed light on collaboration, the role of director and artistic director, new work vs. classics, and the differences between theatre in Chicago and theatre in New York City. This lively discussion between two good friends, who often collaborate, provides an honest look at creative methods and artistic leadership.
2011-08-1100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2003 Symposium: Now What?This 2003 panel discussion includes artistic leaders Clinton Turner Davis, Diane Paulus, Sabrina Peck, Neil Pepe (Atlantic Theater Company), Scott Elliot (The New Group), and Tisa Chang (Pan Asian Repertory). The discussion centers on challenges and opportunities for artistic leaders. Topics cover how economics affect artistic choices, how to sustain a creatively fulfilling career, and projections on what issues the next wave of artistic leaders will face. This conversation gives stimulating insight into artistic leadership as it is now and where it is heading.
2011-07-2800 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2003 Symposium: Moving WorkIn 2003, SDCF hosted a panel moderated by Karen Azenberg featuring choreographers Hope Clarke, Devanand Janki, and Peter Pucci. The discussion centers on where work for choreographers is expanding. Topics cover ways in which choreographers work with actors and directors, how process and style vary for operas, musicals, and plays, and methods for breaking career boundaries from concert dance to theatre. This conversation sheds exciting light on the blending of performance genres and thus the increasing number of opportunities available for working artists.
2011-07-1400 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2003 Symposium: Digital MediaAt its 2003 Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel moderated by Arthur Bartow and featuring playwright Steve Drukman, director Fritz Ertl, producer Chris Jaehnig, tech designer Tom Igoe, and stage manager Megan Bezdek. The discussion centers on the role of digital media in the developmental and production process on a commissioned play by Steve Druckman for the NYU Undergraduate Mainstage titled "Youth in Asia". Topics covered the genesis of the project, the development process for a digital media heavy production, editing film to play simultaneously with live performance, production equipment, build, and management. This conversation provides an informative exploration into the intersection...
2011-06-3000 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2003 Symposium: Adventurous ProducersAt its 2003 Directing Sympsium, SDCF hosted a panel moderated by Rubén Polendo and featuring producer Jordan Roth ("The Rocky Horror Show", "The Donkey Show"), Artistic Director Jim Nicola (New York Theatre Workshop), and former artistic director and current director Michael Greif ("Rent"). The discussion centers on the role of the producer in modern American theater. Topics covered include how to determine what projects are the right fit for the different producing models (commercial, not-for-profit, and regional), the involvement of the producer as a collaborator in the artistic process, trends in the theater, and what audiences are looking for when t...
2011-06-1600 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2003 Symposium: New Writers, New WorldsAt its 2003 Directing Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel moderated by Mary Catherine Burke and featuring directors Christopher Ashley, Jo Bonney, Susan Einhorn, Leah Gardiner, David Warren and Les Waters and playwrights Jorge Cortiñas and David Henry Hwang to discuss expanding diversity among writers, directors and subject matter of new plays. The discussion encompasses the artist's responsibility to creating diversity in theater, the producer's responsibility to take on diverse projects, and the difficulty of taking pieces out of development and into production in commercial or not-for-profit venues. The panelists aim to answer the question of how we are working to c...
2011-06-0300 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2003 Symposium: Designing Outside The BoxAt its 2003 Directing Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel featuring the design team from Theater Mitu: Artistic Director Ruben Polendo, composer and shadow mask designer Jef Evans, costume, mask and puppet designer Miranda Hoffman, lighting designer Ryan Mueller and set designer, puppet designer and choreographer Scott Spahr. The discussion centers around Theater Mitu's methodology, in which they investigate a theatrical vocabulary through myth and tradition using a company of artists who participate in many different aspects of the process. A few of the many topics include the blurry lines between design worlds, the vocabulary of design and sharing of ideas, and...
2011-05-2600 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2002 Symposium: The Director Choreographer RelationshipAt its 2002 Musical Theatre Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel moderated by SDC Executive Director Barbara Hauptman featuring directors David Warren, Christopher Ashley, Gabriel Barre, Jeff Calhoun, Mary B. Robinson, choreographers Daniel Pelzig and Joey McKneely and director/choreographers Rob Ashford and Karen Azenberg to discuss the director/choreographer relationship. Topics include the genesis of partnerships, the blurry line between dance and staging and the involvement of the choreographer in the movement throughout the production, and what it means to be a director/choreographer, among many others. Listen to this lively conversation for an in-depth look at this inspiring relationship told...
2011-05-0500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2002 Symposium: Magic To Do: The Writer Director RelationshipAt its 2002 Musical Theatre Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel on the writer-director relationship featuring "Urinetown" composer/lyricist Greg Kotis, "The Wild Party" composer Andrew Lippa and director Gabriel Barre, "Violet" composer Jeanine Tesori, bookwriter/lyricist Brian Crawley and director Susan H. Schulman, "Side Show" director Robert Longbottom, "Jelly's Last Jam" lyricist Susan Birkenhead, and "tick, tick...BOOM!" and "Bat Boy" director Scott Schwartz, moderated by Manhattan Theatre Club Musical Theatre Program director Clifford Lee Johnson. The panelists discuss the formation of their writer-director relationship on each of these shows: how the initial connection and trust happened, the barriers they had...
2011-04-2100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageSelf-Produced WorkIn February 2011, SDCF Associate Director Ellen Rusconi moderated a Director/Choreographer Network roundtable discussion with The Civilians Artistic Director Steve Cosson and PearlDamour's Katie Pearl on producing one's own work as a director. The two directors offer contrasting experiences of developing their companies, from the structural basis of the Civilians to the organic beginnings of PearlDamour. Both discuss the meaning of stability in the artistic and financial lives of their companies, from finding funding to the initiation of projects. Other topics include New York City versus regional productions, touring, networking, and creating long-term relationships and community to sustain your work...
2011-04-0700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2002 Symposium: Getting HiredAt its 2002 Musical Theatre Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel featuring Todd Haimes (Artistic Director, Roundabout Theatre Company), Marty Bell (Producer, "Kiss of the Spider Woman", "Ragtime"), Sue Frost (Associate Producer, Goodspeed Musicals), Michael Rego (Associate Producer, "Urinetown"), Robert Johanson (Artistic Director, Paper Mill Playhouse), David Warren (Director, "Summer and Smoke") and Elizabeth Williams (Producer, "Crazy For You") to discuss how directors and choreographers get hired and how, once hired, they can forge a relationship with a producer. Topics include commercial vs not-for-profit hiring processes, career development opportunities for directors and the role of an assistant director. This conversation includes anecdotes...
2011-03-2400 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageTony TacconeOn January 17, 2011, SDCF hosted its third One-on-One Conversation of the 2010-2011 season at in the Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row with Berkeley Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Tony Taccone, moderated by SDCF Associate Director Ellen Rusconi. Mr. Taccone discusses his journey from discovering theatre through "happenings" in during college in the 1960s to his most recent foray into writing a play, including his experiences running the Eureka Theater started by Robert Woodruff and eventually becoming Artistic Director of Berkeley Rep. Anecdotes include discovering Tony Kushner and the original production of "Angels in America", the burning down of the Eureka and working...
2011-03-1000 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageRob Ashford and Michael GrandageOn December 18, 2010, SDCF hosted their second One-on-One Conversation of the 2010-2011 season in the Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row with Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Grandage ("Red", "Hamlet") and Broadway Director/Choreographer Rob Ashford ("How To Succeed In Business...", "Promises, Promises") and moderated by SDCF Executive Director Laura Penn. The two directors discuss their trajectories from small town upbringings to the big city and from performing careers to directing. Other topics include the story of their professional relationship with each other, their rehearsal processes from first day to opening night and their views on mentorship. Full of humorous anecdotes, this...
2011-02-2400 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageAnne Kauffman and Jonathan MosconeOn November 14, 2010, SDCF hosted their first One-on-One Conversation of the 2010-2011 season at Atlantic Theatre Studios with 2009 Fichandler Award winner Jonathan Moscone (Artistic Director, California Shakespeare Theatre) and 2010 Alan Schneider Award winner Anne Kauffman (Obie Award, "The Thugs") and moderated by SDCF Executive Director Laura Penn. The two directors discuss their career paths and the many mentors and forms of mentorship they encountered along the way, including directing professor Michael Hackett and artistic directors Joe Papp, Richard Hamburger (Dallas Theater Center) and Irene Lewis (Baltimore Centerstage). Other topics include directing regionally as a freelance director and as an artistic director...
2011-02-1000 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageStage Direction, Chicago StyleOn October 18, 2010, SDCF hosted a sixty-minute discussion on Stage Direction, Chicago Style at Steppenwolf Theatre moderated by Sheldon Patinkin and featuring panelists Seth Bockley, Timothy Douglas, Gary Griffin, Kimberly Senior and Dennis Zacek. The panel discusses Chicago's actor-based process, from actor-based companies such as Lookingglass to the exploratory rehearsal process embraced by Chicago directors. Topics include the influence of Second City, the dynamic system of mentorship amongst Chicago directors and the sense that in Chicago one is "allowed to fail." This conversation gives an inspiring look at one of the country's great theatre cities and the values it runs on...
2011-01-2700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2002 Symposium: Directing RevivalsAt its 2002 Musical Theatre Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel on directing revivals featuring director/choreographers Jeff Calhoun ("Big River" 2003 Revival), Robert Longbottom ("Flower Drum Song" 2002 Revival) and Susan Schulman ("Sweeney Todd" 1989 Revival) and moderated by Victoria Traube. The panelists discuss how directing revivals is different and how it is the same as directing new work, particularly focusing on the relationship with composers, lyricists and bookwriters who are still alive and around to see their work revived. The conversation features in depth stories about the creative processes for "Flower Drum Song", "Grease", "Sweeney Todd" and the Deaf West revival of "Big...
2011-01-1300 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2002 Symposium: Assembling The TeamAt its 3-day Musical Theatre Symposium in June of 2002, SDCF hosted a panel on assembling creative teams moderated by Arthur Bartow. Speakers included producers Marty Bell ("Ragtime") and Sally Campbell Morse ("Urinetown"), choreographers Larry Fuller ("Evita") and Daniel Pelzig ("33 Variations"), Roundabout Artistic Director Todd Haimes, directors Christopher Ashley ("Memphis") and David Warren ("Summer and Smoke"), and composer Lucy Simon ("The Secret Garden"). These speakers provide case histories of collaborations that they put together that were either successful or dire failures, and include tales of "Ragtime", the 1998 Revival of "Cabaret", "Urinetown" and the original collaboration on the Maltby/Shire musical "Take...
2011-01-0300 minATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage2002 Symposium: It's Not Where You StartIn June 2002, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation hosted a panel discussion on how Broadway directors and choreographers got their starts as part of its 3-day Musical Theatre Symposium. The panelists are Susan H. Schulman, Jeff Calhoun, David Warren, Scott Schwartz, Larry Fuller, Lynne Taylor-Corbett and Gabriel Barre. Some fell into their careers by accident while others had it planned all along, and their stories range from years of performing summer stock to meeting Tommy Tune. This conversation is filled with humorous and touching anecdotes featuring Richard Maltby, Carol Haney and Trevor Nunn, among others. The panelists impart valuable advice...
2010-12-0900 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageThe Making of Jelly's Last JamIn November 1992, SDC Foundation hosted a conversation with the creative team behind "Jelly's Last Jam" on Broadway: George C. Wolfe (book and direction), Hope Clarke (choreography), Susan Birkenhead (lyrics), Luther Henderson (music arrangement and additional music), Robin Wagman (set design) and Jules Fischer (lighting design) to discuss their creative process. They discuss the journey from workshops and a production at the Mark Taper Forum to the addition of Wagman, Fischer and Gregory Hines on its way to Broadway, and how each of the design elements and the addition of tap choreography helped to shape the show and discover the heart...
2010-11-2400 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirector Playwright CollaborationOn Tuesday, March 29, 1988, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation and New Dramatists hosted a seminar on the director-playwright relationship with directors Tony Giordano, Pam Berlin, Paul Benedict, and Woodie King, Jr., and writers Steve Carter, Jack Heifner, John Bishop and Reynaldo Povod. This lively ninety-minute conversation includes discussions of the director's role on a new play, what playwrights look for in a director, and colorful nature of the collaboration described as a marriage, an affair and a divorce. Other topics include the role of the producer as mediator and ownership of the play along with several horror stories of disastrous collaborations...
2010-11-1100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageChoreographersAt the SDC Foundation's Choreography Symposium in 1986, choreographers Wayne Cilento (Tony Award for "The Who's Tommy"), Graciela Daniele (8 Tony nominations for Best Choreography), Janet Watson ("Ragtime") and Ted Pappas ("Paradise" Off-Broadway and the Broadway revival of "Zorba") spoke with director Marshall Mason about choreography in musical theatre at the time. The panel discusses how each began his or her career, their creative processes and the mentors that led them to Broadway. A major topic is the changing style of musical theatre, which was deep in the Sondheim era at the time, and the choreographer's role in musicals that involve less...
2010-10-2800 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageA View from the BridgeOn December 15, 1986, director Tony Giordano, designers Hugh Landwehr and Dennis Parichy and actors Michael Fischetti, Jennifer Van Dyck and Diane Martella spoke with moderator Amy Saltz at New Dramatists about their work on a traveling co-production of "A View From The Bridge", produced by theatres in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany. Having taken place after two of the four runs, this conversation is a rare opportunity to hear artists from various disciplines talk about a play that is still in progress. Fischetti and Giordano discuss the inception of the play at Syracuse Stage after doing "Glengarry Glen Ross", and how...
2010-10-1400 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageWorking with Dance ArrangersIn April 2010, Edie Cowan moderated an hour-long roundtable discussion with Broadway choreographers Kathleen Marshall and Jerry Mitchell and dance arrangers David Chase and Mark Hummel. They discuss the role of the dance arranger, who works with the choreographer to take what the composer has written and changes it to fit the choreographer's vision of each dance. Jerry Mitchell talks about choreographing a dance for "The Full Monty" before hearing the music and then having the arranger fit music to it, while some choreographers will have the dance arranger write something before choreographing anything. Other topics include period research, the involvement...
2010-09-3000 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageRob Ashford and Michael MayerIn February 2010, director Michael Mayer, who won a Tony Award for "Spring Awakening" and recently directed "American Idiot", and choreographer Rob Ashford, who won a Tony for "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and was nominated for "The Wedding Singer", "Curtains" and "Cry-Baby", were featured in a Director/Choreographer Network discussion on Working in Film. Michael Mayer recalls being asked to direct "A Home at the End of the World" and saying yes without hesitating, without any film experience. Rob Ashford talks about choreographing "Beyond the Sea" with Kevin Spacey and learning how to tell the DP what shots to take. Key differences...
2010-07-1500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageArthur PennIn 2002, Arthur Penn sat down for a One-on-One conversation with SDCF Executive Director David Diamond to discuss his triple-threat career in theatre, television and film. He tells the story of his launch into theatre from the army, followed by an early career in TV and the Actors Studio. He talks about his relationship with Bill Gibson which launched two of his biggest successes: "The Miracle Worker" and "Two for the Seesaw", and shares humorous anecdotes about working with Lillian Hellman, Sammy Davis, Jr., George C. Scott, Henry Fonda and the geneses of "The Golden Boy", "Wait Until Dark", "Sly Fox"...
2010-04-2200 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageRegional TheatreIn January of 1987, noted director, educator and SDC Board Member Mary Robinson met with directors Mark Lamos and Nagle Jackson to discuss running regional theatres. At the time, these two men were the Artistic Directors of Hartford Stage and Princeton's McCarter Theatre respectively. The conversation begins as many of SDCF's one-on-one interviews do, with Lamos and Jackson outlining the origins of their careers as directors, and specifically as Artistic Directors. We find that both men transitioned from performance to direction, and as Lamos puts it "were the kind of actor's you saw and said 'it looks like he should be...
2010-01-0700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageMarshall Mason and Lanford WilsonFor decades, Marshall Mason and Lanford Wilson have been seminal figures in the theatre industry. Their artistic partnership spans nearly forty years and is recognized as being among the most enduring in the American Theatre. Their work together - from "Balm in Gilead" to the more recent "Book of Days" - stands as some of the most beloved in the American canon. In 2002, New York's Signature Theatre devoted its entire season to the plays of Lanford Wilson, including the New York City premiere of "Book of Days" which was directed by Mason. On the eve of that premiere, the SDCF...
2009-11-0500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageMing Cho LeeWorld renowned designer for the stage Ming Cho Lee spoke to a crowd of early career directors and choreographers in April of 1999 at SDCF's annual Symposium. The focus of this discussion was working with Shakespeare, and in this ninety minute address Ming explains why he will go anywhere to work on the Bard's cannon. With wit and humor he tailors his remarks to fit his audience, explaining how he communicates with directors. He speaks of his love of teaching, and of why the basis for his first-year design course at Yale is a foundation in directing. Ming then intricately evaluates...
2009-10-0800 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageHoward DaSilva and Alfred DrakeBeginning in January 1985, SDCF held a series of interviews with Actors Who Direct in order to explore with live audiences of theatre enthusiasts, professional theatre artists, and SDC Members and guests the processes, experiences and craft of this brand of professional artistic hybrid. In the first installment of this series, moderator Ike Shambelan met with Alfred Drake and Howard Da Silva for a discussion about these very issues at New Dramatists. Da Silva and Drake shared a malleable professional relationship, both as cast mates and taking turns directing each other professionally. To get to the bottom of what characteristics define...
2009-09-2400 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageJoe DowlingIn January of 2000, Joe Dowling met with SDC Members and guests at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre to discuss his career in the classics. It is a career that began long before his appointment as Artistic Director at Minneapolis' Guthrie Theatre in 1995, and even before becoming the Artistic Director of Ireland's National Theatre, the Abbey, at the age of 27. As family legend goes, his first artistic note to an actor was at the age of three, and it was instant recognition that he would spend his life on stage. In this interview with former SDCF Executive Director, David Diamond, Joe Dowling tracks...
2009-09-1700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageHarold PrinceIn 2002, theatre icon Harold Prince gave the opening remarks to a packed house of esteemed theatre artists, professional directors and choreographers, and aspiring early-career post graduates at SDCF's annual Directing Symposium. The focus of Mr. Prince's address, as well as the focus of the weekend's series of panel discussions and lectures, was "Creating the American Musical". Throughout this ninety minute discussion 'Hal' embodies the ideal of the venerable Broadway veteran, lauding the importance of practical experience and mentorship to personal artistic development while enlightening the audience with stories from his early career. He speaks of his mentor, George Abbott and...
2009-09-1100 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageGene SaksIn June of 1995, SDCF brought one of Broadway's most beloved directors to New Dramatists for a conversation about comedy. Collaborators are quoted as saying "I would like to be surgically attached to his hip" and "I wouldn't mind if I never worked with another director again". In this 90 minute interview, you'll learn how Tony Award winner Gene Saks has engineered a career as one the most respected directors in American theatre. He is known for his understanding and protection of the actor's process, stemming from years as a performer on Broadway. Moreover, he is known for the rapport he develops...
2009-08-1400 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageAustin PendletonRenowned stage and film actor and Tony nominated stage director Austin Pendleton made time for an interview in April of 1999 with former SDCF Executive Director David Diamond. This 90 minute discussion features the always candid Pendleton discussing his life in the theatre. The conversation begins with an explanation of his origins in directing. From his 1st experience directing his mother in a community theatre production of "The Glass Menagerie" in his hometown of Warren, Ohio to a successful production of "Tartuffe" at the Williamstown Theatre Festival which landed him on Broadway, he recounts the steps which led him to develop the...
2009-08-0600 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageJerry ZaksJust two months after the opening of his Tony Award winning production of "The House of Blue Leaves", Director Jerry Zaks spoke to a packed house at Westside Arts Theater in the first installment of SDCF's three part "Directing for Comedy" lecture series, in July of 1986. One of America's greatest Directors of comedy opens up his process for the audience, taking us step by step from his first read of a script through the perils of keeping comedy fresh over a prolonged run of a show. He expresses his affinity for what he calls "crafted comedy", or moments that he...
2009-07-2300 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageRichard Foreman and Wilford LeachSDCF's James Furlong sat down with two preeminent stage directors who also design, Richard Foreman and Wilford Leach, for a 90 minute discussion about navigating the often contentious relationship of collaboration. Sharing similar origins, both Foreman and Leach discuss how their affinity for designing sets came from a "do it yourself" mentality which developed from an early necessity of their productions. As they grew as artists the two began practicing different philosophies of design and collaboration; Leach crafting a set from the center outward to ensure it fits into any touring venue, while Foreman moves from a frame inward to give...
2009-07-1600 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageGeraldine Fitzgerald and John HousemanAt St. Mary's Church in Manhattan on September 19, 1986 SDCF hosted the second installation in a series of interviews with "Actors Who Direct". This interview moderated by Ike Schambelan, features a discussion with the magnificent directors/performers/educators Geraldine Fitzgerald and John Houseman. The focus of the talk is a simple one - good directors. Fitzgerald and Houseman lead the audience on a survey of the craft of directing. Throughout two 40+ year careers in stage and screen, these two worked with a veritable who's who of film and theatrical directors including Ciulei, Kazan, Reinhardt, Stanislavsky, Wells and Wyler; In this interview...
2009-07-0900 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageEllen StewartOff-Off Broadway pioneer Ellen Stewart gave a candid interview to SDCF Executive Director David Diamond for a packed audience of theatre artists at ArtsConnection on June 13, 1994. The central focus of the interview is her founding and continued artistic leadership of La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. She begins at the beginning, explaining the origins of the institution and the impetus behind its creation. Ms. Stewart reminisces on her early funding efforts for the company - by selling her fashion designs on Fifth Avenue as the first African American designer to work for Saks. She covers the struggle to produce the work...
2009-06-2600 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageGillian LynneOn February 4, 1996 the Drama League Directors Project co-hosted with SDCF a moderated discussion between Director/Choreographer Gillian Lynne and musical Director/Arranger Marvin Laird. In this candid discussion of Gillian's life in the theatre - the prolific dancer, choreographer, director of musicals and straight plays speaks of the mentors who helped her develop her comprehensive "theatrical vocabulary". She demystifies the true genesis of "Cats", explaining that her participation began over a glass of wine with Andrew Lloyd Webber. She discusses how that musical changed the way actors would be trained in the UK, for the better. She covers her own...
2009-06-1200 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageRon LagomarsinoFresh off of the successful opening of "Driving Miss Daisy" starring Dana Ivey and Morgan Freeman, Director Ron Lagomarsino sat down with SDCF's Steve Kaplan in January of 1988 to discuss directing comedy for the stage. In this, the third installation in a series of three interviews devoted to the topic, the listener will notice similarities in the directorial philosophies of these comedic helmers. (Other series interviews include directors Gene Saks and Jerry Zaks - available on Masters of the Stage at a future date or by request from SDCFoundation). Mr. Lagomarsino discusses what he looks for from actors in casting...
2009-06-0500 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageRichard ForemanProfessor/Playwright Steven Drukman sat down with theatre artist Richard Foreman in April of 1997 at Artsconnection to discuss theatrical innovation in an interview co-sponsored by SDCF and the Drama League Directors Project. Foreman illuminates an early career of set design as a teenager in Westchester, NY; as an actor at Brown University; as a playwright at Yale. He confides that his origins as a director stem from an unwillingness of his contemporaries to direct his pieces. Drukman questions the reasoning behind the geometric, psychologically-charged staging of his earlier minimalist works in New York and his progression to the maximally theatric...
2009-05-0900 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageDirecting O'NeillOn April 27, 1986 frequent SDCF interviewer and legendary acting coach Ada Brown Mather sat down with director Sir Jonathan Miller to discuss Eugene O'Neill's work one day before his revival of "Long Day's Journey Into Night" opened on Broadway. In this conversation Sir Miller covers his career as a performer, his recommitment to working in the theatre despite a career as a doctor, his affinity for directing opera, the accidental manner in which he accepted the position as director on "Long Day's Journey" and how he tackles working on such a seminal piece of American theatre.
2009-04-1700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageJack O'BrienIn December of 2001, renowned director Jack O'Brien was interviewed by his former protégé, John Rando, as part of SDCF's One-on-One conversation series. In this 30-minute session Rando and O'Brien span the gamut of Jack's considerable artistic abilities. Jack O'Brien candidly and eloquently covers everything from his sense of competition and his love of discovery, to his artistic process, love of collaboration and management on the Old Globe theatre.
2009-03-2700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageSusan StromanIn June of 2000, just days after winning two Tony Awards for her spectacular work on the record-breaking hit, "The Producers", in between her rehearsals for the national tour of "Contact" and the development of her new musical "Thou Shalt Not", Susan Stroman took time out of her busy schedule to participate in SDCF's acclaimed One-on-One conversations series. Ms. Stroman was interviewed by her colleague and friend, Charles Repole, before a sold-out crowd. Together they discussed the genesis of Ms. Stroman's work, the foundation of her craft and the expert use of comedy in her work.
2009-02-1200 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageGene Saks and Jerry ZaksAs part of the SDCF's "Directing Comedy: A Serious Business" symposium in April of 2000, the Foundation was privileged to host two master directors of comic plays and musicals for an in-depth discussion on the craft of directing comedy. Gene Saks and Jerry Zaks offered marvelous insights and expertise from their long and illustrious careers. This discussion features commentary on the stars with whom they've worked, collaboration with their favorite playwrights and what it takes to get a laugh.
2009-02-0700 minATW - SDCF Masters of the StageMark LamosIn June of 2000, Hartford Stage's longtime Artistic Director Mark Lamos sat down with the SDCF for a One-on-One interview. In this conversation Lamos speaks candidly about a recent production of Edward II for A.C.T, his early career and his tenure at Hartford Stage, and the art and craft of directing for opera.
2009-01-3100 min
ATW - Downstage CenterSDCF Masters of the Stage also available - November, 2008If you enjoy Downstage Center you might be interested in our new program, SDCF Masters of the Stage.
2009-01-0500 min