SDCF Podcast Series
About: The SDCF Podcast series includes insightful and in-depth conversations about the working processes and experiences of directors and choreographers. This series features four decades of interviews and panel discussions with some of the field’s most distinguished luminaries, including Hal Prince and Lloyd Richards. Recent episodes include conversations with such notable artists as Anne Kauffman, Raja Feather Kelly, Seret Scott, Leigh Silverman, Twyla Tharp, and Mark Valdez. Dive into our archives to hear the story of the American theatre, told by those who helped create its history and are charting the course of its future. Feel free to search for episodes using relevant search terms, or peruse the following categories: ● Awards ● Choreographers in Conversation ● Choreography ● Direction ● In Motion with Wendy Seyb ● Issues ● One-on-One Conversations ● Producing ● Regional Originals with M. Graham Smith ● Shakespeare/Classics ● Technical Theatre ● The Founder’s Series with Anne Kauffman ● Writing/Composition Please note: The conversations in these podcasts date back to 1980 and may contain language that is not representative of the Foundation’s current ethos. We believe these conversations should be made available as an educational and informative resource for theatre artists. Due to the historical nature of this podcast archive, there may be outdated language or content. Therefore, we ask listeners to reach out to us if they feel any of our podcasts need additional review due to content. Additionally, we are happy to have any of our episodes transcribed upon request.
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Choreographers in Conversation: Camden Gonzales & Sonya Tayeh
03/20/2024
Choreographers in Conversation: Camden Gonzales & Sonya Tayeh
We are excited to bring you another episode in our podcast series Choreographers in Conversation. This series allows choreographers to interview other choreographers whose work excites them as a way to learn more about their craft and preserve the stories of these exciting artists in our industry. In this episode Choreographer Camden Gonzales interviews Choreographer Sonya Tayeh. They explore Sonya's choreographic process, philosophy around the importance and impact of choreography and dancers in the theatre world, as well as delving into the work she has done throughout her career. Bios: Camden Gonzales is an artist, performer, and choreographer based in NYC. She is currently the Associate Choreographer for Moulin Rouge The Musical overseeing multiple companies across the globe. She is also the Associate Choreographer for the upcoming musical Gatsby (featuring original music by Florence Welch) which will debut at A.R.T. in Boston this summer. Other select credits include Sing Street (Associate Choreographer) at The Huntington Theatre, A Sherlock Carol (Assistant Director) New World Stages, Peter and The Starcatcher (Choreographer) White Heron Theatre, Hamilton (Dance Captain/Swing) National Tour, Groundhog Day (Dance Captain/Swing) Broadway. om Sonya Tayeh is a New York City based TONY® Award winning choreographer and director. Since paving her professional career, her work has been characterized as a blend of powerful versatility and theatrical range. Selected credits include: Moulin Rouge! Broadway, Australia, UK, Tour (Hirschfeld theatre/Dir Alex Timbers), UP HERE (Hulu Musical Series), The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window Broadway (James Earl Jones Theatre), Is It Thursday Yet? (La Jolla Playhouse), Sing Street Broadway (Huntington Theatre, Boston/Dir Rebecca Taichman), Martha Graham Dance Company (Joyce Theatre/Tour), American Ballet Theatre/What Becomes of Love Film, Unveiling with Moses and dancers (Fall For Dance/City Center), Rent Live! (Fox Network/Dir Michael Grief and Alex Rudzinski), The Lucky Ones (Ars Nova/Dir. Anne Kauffman), Face the Torrent for Malpaso Dance Co. (commissioned by The Music Center/LA), You'll Still Call Me By Name (commissioned by New York Live Arts and Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival), Martha Graham Dance Company's Lamentation Variation Series (Joyce Theatre), Hundred Days (New York Theatre Workshop/Dir. Anne Kauffman), The Skin Of Our Teeth (Theatre for a New Audience/Dir. Arin Arbus), Andrew Lippas' The Wild Party (City Center Encores!/Dir. Leigh Silverman), Kung Fu (Signature Theatre/Dir. Leigh Silverman) Tayeh has directed and choreographed for world renowned music artists including Miley Cyrus (Directed and Choreographed The Gypsy Heart Tour), Florence and the Machine (Choreographed performances for The Brit Awards, The Voice and American Idol), Kyle Minogue (Aphrodite Tour) She has gleaned many accolades for her versatile work, including a Tony award, two Emmy noms, one Drama Desk award, an Obie Award and two Lucille Lortel Awards for “Outstanding Choreography.”
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The Art of Collaboration: Alex Timbers, Peter Hylenski, and Derek McLane
02/21/2024
The Art of Collaboration: Alex Timbers, Peter Hylenski, and Derek McLane
We are excited to bring you this new episode in our podcast series, The Art of Collaboration. This series focuses on directors and choreographers in conversation with some of their collaborators on a specific production. This series explores the ins and outs of these processes, both the finer details as well as overarching ideas about what goes into a productive collaboration on a show. In the second episode of this two episode arc, Director Alex Timbers, Sound Designer Peter Hylenski, and Scenic Designer Derek McLane are interviewed by Foundation Director Dani Barlow to discuss their experience working together on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Learn more about this episode’s guests below. Bios: ALEX TIMBERS (Director) is the recipient of Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and London Evening Standard Awards, as well as two Obie and Lortel Awards. Broadway credits include Gutenberg the Musical; Here Lies Love; Moulin Rouge!; Just For Us; Beetlejuice; David Byrne’s American Utopia; Oh Hello with Nick Kroll and John Mulaney; The Pee-wee Herman Show; Peter and the Starcatcher; and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (also bookwriter). For television, he co-created Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle” (Golden Globe Award) and has helmed the Netflix specials “John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous,” “Ben Platt: Live at Radio City,” and most recently “John Mulaney: Baby J” (2023 Emmy Award nomination). His debut picture book, Broadway Bird, set in an all-animal version of Broadway, is published by Macmillan. @alextimbers PETER HYLENSKI (Sound Designer). Peter received a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award Honor for his work on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. A Grammy, Olivier, and eight time Tony nominee, his selected Broadway designs include: Moulin Rouge!, Frozen, Anastasia, Beetlejuice, Once On This Island, Something Rotten, King Kong, Rock of Ages, After Midnight, Motown, The Scottsboro Boys, Side Show, Rocky, Bullets Over Broadway, Shrek the Musical, On A Clear Day, Lend Me A Tenor, Elf. Other designs: Awakening, Le Rêve and Lake of Dreams at Wynn Las Vegas. He’s designed for Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, London’s O2 Arena, and The Kennedy Center. Peter holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. DEREK MCLANE (Scenic Designer) SELECTED CREDITS: BROADWAY: MJ the Musical, Moulin Rouge!, Purlie Victorious, A Soldier’s Play, American Son, The Parisian Woman, Children of a Lesser God, The Price, Noises Off, Fully Committed, Beautiful, Gigi, China Doll, Anything Goes, The Heiress, Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Best Man, Follies, How to Succeed In Business Without Even Trying, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Million Dollar Quartet, Ragtime, 33 Variations The Pajama Game, I Am My Own Wife. OFF-BROADWAY: Black No More, Merrily We Roll Along, The True, Jerry Spring the Opera, If I Forget, The Whirligig, Into The Woods, Love, Love, Love, Sweet Charity, Evening at the Talk House, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Buried Child, The Spoils, Sticks and Bones, The Last Five Years, A Lie of the Mind, Ruined, Hurlyburly. TELEVISION: He designed the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 Academy Awards as well as the NBC LIVE! Musicals The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The WIZ & HAIRSPRAY. AWARDS: Winner of 1997 + 2004 OBIE Awards, 2004, 2005, 2007 Lortel Awards; 2009 + 2021 Tony Award, 2011 Drama Desk Award, 2015, 2016 Art Directors Guild Award, 2014 + 2017 Emmy Award.
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The Art of Collaboration: Alex Timbers, Justin Townsend, and Catherine Zuber
01/29/2024
The Art of Collaboration: Alex Timbers, Justin Townsend, and Catherine Zuber
We are excited to bring you this new podcast series, The Art of Collaboration. This series will focus on directors and choreographers in conversation with some of their collaborators on a specific production. This series will explore the ins and outs of these processes, both the finer details as well as overarching ideas about what goes into a productive collaboration on a show. In this inaugural episode, Director Alex Timbers, Costume Designer Catherine Zuber, and Lighting Designer Justin Townsend are interviewed by Foundation Director Dani Barlow to discuss their experience working together on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Learn more about this episode’s guests below. Bios: Alex Timbers (Director) is the recipient of Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and London Evening Standard Awards, as well as two Obie and Lortel Awards. Broadway credits include Gutenberg the Musical; Here Lies Love; Moulin Rouge!; Just For Us; Beetlejuice; David Byrne’s American Utopia; Oh Hello with Nick Kroll and John Mulaney; The Pee-wee Herman Show; Peter and the Starcatcher; and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (also bookwriter). For television, he co-created Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle” (Golden Globe Award) and has helmed the Netflix specials “John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous,” “Ben Platt: Live at Radio City,” and most recently “John Mulaney: Baby J” (2023 Emmy Award nomination). His debut picture book, Broadway Bird, set in an all-animal version of Broadway, is published by Macmillan. @alextimbers Justin Townsend (Lighting Designer): His professional lighting design work includes such productions as: Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award); Jagged Little Pill (Tony Nomination); American Psycho (Tony nomination, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Henry Hewes Award); The Humans (Tony nomination, Drama Desk Award); Here Lies Love, (Drama Desk Award, Public Theater); Vietgone, (MTC); Pretty Filthy, (Civilians); Mr. Burns, a Post Electric Play, Milk Like Sugar, (Playwrights Horizons); Odyssey, A Winter’s Tale, (Public Works at the Delacorte Theater); Venus, (Signature Theater); Unnatural Acts, Mother Courage, and Galileo (Classic Stage Company) Catherine Zuber (Costume Designer) Broadway: Moulin Rouge, (Tony Award, Olivier Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award), Mrs. Doubtfire, My Fair Lady, (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award), Oslo, War Paint (Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award), King & I, (Olivier Award, Tony Award), Fiddler on the Roof, Golden Boy. South Pacific (Tony Award); The Coast of Utopia (Tony Award); The Light in the Piazza (Tony Award); Awake and Sing! (Tony Award); The Royal Family (Tony Award); Gigi (Drama Desk Award). Metropolitan Opera: Rigoletto, Porgy & Bess, Il Barbieri di Siviglia, Les Contes d’Hoffman, Comte Ory, L’elisir d’Amore, Otello, Dr. Atomic, Roméo et Juliette. 2016 Induction: Theater Hall of Fame. Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation: Founded in 1965, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) exists to foster, promote, and develop the creativity and craft of stage directors and choreographers. SDCF’s mission is to create access to the field, to connect artists to each other and to the public, and to honor these artists’ theatrical legacies. The centrality of directors and choreographers in theatre and the impact they have on other artists’ careers—from playwrights to designers to actors—makes SDCF’s services essential to the wider theatre industry’s continued health and vitality. Through its dynamic educational programming, including Observerships, Fellowships, public panels, and day-long symposia, SDCF serves the needs of directors and choreographers at every stage of career.
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Choreographers in Conversation: Camille A. Brown and Ellenore Scott
02/16/2023
Choreographers in Conversation: Camille A. Brown and Ellenore Scott
We are excited to bring you this podcast series, Choreographers in Conversation. This series allows choreographers to interview other choreographers whose work excites them as a way to learn more about their craft and preserve the stories of these exciting artists in our industry. In this episode Choreographer and Creative Director Ellenore Scott interviews Choreographer Camille A. Brown to hear more about her career and where her love of dance and choreography comes from, what inspires her, working with collaborators, and how Camille approaches her work with ranges in size and types of stages. They also discuss Broadway debuts, the preproduction process, and staying true to yourself in your work. Bios: : Broadway: for colored girls… (7 Tony award nominations including Best Direction of a Play and Choreography), Choir Boy (Tony & Drama Desk Nominee), Once on This Island (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Chita Rivera Nominee), A Streetcar Named Desire. Off Broadway and regional: Much Ado About Nothing (Audelco Award), Toni Stone (Audelco, Lortel Nominee), Bella (Playwrights Horizons, Lucille Lortel Nominee, Audelco Award), Fortress of Solitude (Lucille Lortel Nominee); tick, tick...BOOM! (Encores!). The Wiz (MUNY), Stagger Lee (DTC); Once (Pittsburgh CLO). Opera: Fire Shut Up in My Bones (co-directed with James Robinson- Bessie nomination), Porgy & Bess, Champion. Television: Harlem (Amazon Prime), Nike/Jordan commercial. Jesus Christ Superstar Live” (NBC). Film: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix). Company: Bessie winning Camille A. Brown & Dancers. Awards: Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Choreography, ISPA’s Distinguished Artist, Dance Magazine Award, Guggenheim, Doris Duke Artist, Princess Grace Statue Award, Jacob’s Pillow Award, and New York City Center, USA Jay Franke & David Herro Fellow, TED fellow, Kennedy Center’s Next 50, Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellowship (she/her) is a New York based choreographer and creative director. Broadway: Funny Girl, Mr. Saturday Night. Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors, Titanique. Other choreography credits include: So You Think You Can Dance?, Single All the Way (Netflix), Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical. Scott’s work has been seen at The Bushwick Starr, The Old Globe, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, McCarter Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Cape Fear Regional Theatre and Seattle Repertory Theatre. As a performer, Scott appeared in numerous television shows (Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Smash, The Blacklist, Glee!) and was a finalist and All-Star on So You Think You Can Dance? Scott is the Artistic Director of ELSCO Dance, a contemporary-fusion dance company. As a content creator, Scott makes lifestyle, dance and comedy videos for over 1 million followers on TikTok. @helloellenore Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation: Founded in 1965, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) exists to foster, promote, and develop the creativity and craft of stage directors and choreographers. SDCF’s mission is to create access to the field, to connect artists to each other and to the public, and to honor these artists’ theatrical legacies. The centrality of directors and choreographers in theatre and the impact they have on other artists’ careers—from playwrights to designers to actors—makes SDCF’s services essential to the wider theatre industry’s continued health and vitality. Through its dynamic educational programming, including Observerships, Fellowships, public panels, and day-long symposia, SDCF serves the needs of directors and choreographers at every stage of career.
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A Conversation about the SDCF Professional Development Program – Special Podcast Episode
11/07/2022
A Conversation about the SDCF Professional Development Program – Special Podcast Episode
In this special podcast episode, SDCF Director Dani Barlow and SDCF Board of Trustees Member Seema Sueko discuss the revitalized Professional Development Program (formerly the SDCF Observership Program). You can visit SDCF’s website to learn more: SDCF’s revitalized Professional Development Program provides opportunities for early career directors and choreographers to observe and/or support experienced directors and choreographers during the production process. The goals of this program are to provide access to directors and/or choreographers who have not seen the work of an experienced director/choreographer or have not previously worked on a certain type of production or at a certain level and provide mentorship from experienced directors and choreographers to newer directors and choreographers. Applications for the 2022-23 Season Cycle 1 will open Friday November 11, 2022.
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Choreographers in Conversation: Annie-B Parson and Sam Pinkleton
10/13/2022
Choreographers in Conversation: Annie-B Parson and Sam Pinkleton
We are excited to bring you this podcast series, Choreographers in Conversation. This series will allow choreographers to interview other choreographers whose work excites them as a way to learn more about their craft and preserve the stories of these exciting artists in our industry. In this episode Sam Pinkleton interviews Annie-B Parson. The two discuss the experience of choreographing for musicians and opera, being a choreographer not a dancer, and how one collaborates or doesn’t with dancers and musicians. Sam asks Annie-B about how she prepares for a project, who she makes dance pieces for, and how she thinks teaching influences her work. Additionally, the two talk about Annie-B Parson’s new book called that was published on October 11th, 2022. They also reiterate that choreographers are for more than carrying a couch across the stage. Check out Annie-B's book here: Annie-B Parson: Annie-B Parson is a choreographer. She has made choreography for rock shows, marching bands, movies, museums, objects, television, augmented reality, opera, ballet, theater, symphony orchestras, string quartets, and a chorus of 1,000 amateur singers. She has made dance and stagings for the work of David Byrne, David Bowie, Lorde, St. Vincent, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Wendy Whelan, Laurie Anderson, Suzan Lori Parks, Spike Lee, Jonathan Demme, Salt ‘n Pepa, Esperanza Spalding, David Lang, Anne Carson, and the Martha Graham Dance Co. Annie-B is the artistic director of Big Dance Theater. Annie-B just published a new book on October 11, 2022 called The Choreography of Everyday Life. Sam Pinkleton: Sam Pinkleton is a Tony Award-nominated theater and dance maker. His work on Broadway includes Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, Machinal, Heisenberg, Significant Other, Amélie, and Macbeth. His recent work includes Jeanine Tesori and David Henry Hwang’s Soft Power, the youth-led civic spectacular Runaways in Central Park and collaborations with the Dutch National Opera, Carnegie Hall, BAM, Virgin Voyages, The Civilians, Swing Left, and Cirque du Soleil. He is currently directing the world premiere of Noah Diaz' You Will Get Sick for Roundabout Theater Company. He does not own any dance shoes. Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation: Founded in 1965, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) exists to foster, promote, and develop the creativity and craft of stage directors and choreographers. SDCF’s mission is to create access to the field, to connect artists to each other and to the public, and to honor these artists’ theatrical legacies. The centrality of directors and choreographers in theatre and the impact they have on other artists’ careers—from playwrights to designers to actors—makes SDCF’s services essential to the wider theatre industry’s continued health and vitality. Through its dynamic educational programming, including Observerships, Fellowships, public panels, and day-long symposia, SDCF serves the needs of directors and choreographers at every stage of career.
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Choreographers In Conversation: Maria Torres & Jerry Mitchell
07/29/2022
Choreographers In Conversation: Maria Torres & Jerry Mitchell
We are excited to bring you this podcast series, Choreographers in Conversation. This series will allow choreographers to interview other choreographers whose work excites them as a way to learn more about their craft and preserve the stories of these exciting artists in our industry. In this episode, Maria Torres, Director/Choreographer/SDCF Trustee interviews Director/Choreographer, Jerry Mitchell to learn more about his career, what brought him to the theatre, the work that he is passionate about, the current state of our industry, and what he hopes for the future. Jerry Mitchell: Jerry Mitchell (Director/Choreographer, Kinky Boots) made his Broadway and West End debuts as Director/Choreographer of Legally Blonde, which won the Olivier Award for Best Musical. He was also nominated for both the Tony® and Drama Desk Awards for his choreography for Legally Blonde, as well as the Drama Desk Award for his direction. A Tony® winner for his dazzling choreography created for the first revival of La Cage Aux Folles, Jerry was also nominated for that Award for choreographing Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hairspray, Never Gonna Dance, and The Full Monty. For Broadway, Jerry also choreographed Catch Me If You Can, and revivals of Charlie Brown, Rocky Horror Show, and Gypsy (starring Bernadette Peters), and for Off-Broadway and film, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Jeffrey. Other film work includes In & Out, Camp, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and Scent of a Woman. Twenty years ago, Jerry conceived and created Broadway Bares, a comedy burlesque show performed annually for the charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Jerry proudly serves as a Board member of BC/EFA and annually as the Executive Producer of Broadway Bares, with a book, website and satellite productions in Las Vegas and London. Cumulative fundraising efforts have resulted in more than $10 million raised for the charity. Next up: directing and choreographing The Honeymooners on Broadway. Maria Torres: Maria Torres’ extensive career as director, choreographer, instructor, and Producer began as a critically acclaimed performer, contributing choreography while performing in the film Dance, with the six-time Tony-nominated Broadway musical Swing and Me!. Torres was nominated for a 2018 Ovation Award for Best Choreography for Luis Valdes’ Zoot Suit, is a Lucille Lortel & Carbonell nominee of Four Guys named Jose’, The Donkey Show and Celia, the musical based on the life of the late Cuban singer Celia Cruz. Torres received accolades as Associate Choreographer for the Broadway & Touring productions of On Your Feet, the Oscar-nominated film Enchanted, the musical film Idlewild, the showcase for the Tony Award-winning In The Heights, and as a resident choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance. Torres also co-conceived, choreographed, and directed the Magic Of Salsa Kingdom and Off-Broadway hit Latin Heat. Recently, she directed and choreographed the new musical Havana Music Hall, Sol of El Barrio, and served as dance consultant for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway. Torres is an Artist in Residence at The Rosetta LeNoire Amas Musical Theater, Trustee of Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), a proud executive board member of the Stage Directors, and Choreographers Society, and the League of Professional Theatre Women. Her life is documented in the Dance Oral History Project at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
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Choreographers In Conversation: Dan Knechtges & Twyla Tharp
07/29/2022
Choreographers In Conversation: Dan Knechtges & Twyla Tharp
We are excited to bring you a new podcast series, Choreographers in Conversation. This series will allow choreographers to interview other choreographers whose work excites them as a way to learn more about their craft and preserve the stories of these exciting artists in our industry. In this episode to kick off the series, Dan Knechtges interviews Twyla Tharp. The two cover everything from Twyla’s legendary theatrical work including MOVIN' OUT to her book THE CREATIVE HABIT and discuss how the legacy of her craft lives on. Learn more about Twyla Tharp at the . Twyla Tharp: Since graduating from Barnard College in 1963, Ms. Tharp has choreographed more than one hundred sixty works: one hundred twenty-nine dances, twelve television specials, six Hollywood movies, four full-length ballets, four Broadway shows and two figure skating routines, she has also written 4 books. She received one Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, 20 honorary doctorates, the Vietnam Veterans of America President's Award, the 2004 National Medal of the Arts, the 2008 Jerome Robbins Prize, and a 2008 Kennedy Center Honor. Her many grants include the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Learn more about Twyla Tharp and her legacy through her . Dan Knechtges: Broadway – Lysistrata Jones (Direction & Choreography), Xanadu (directed by Chris Ashley, Tony nomination, Drama Desk nomination), Sondheim on Sondheim (directed by James Lapine), 110 in The Shade (starring Audra McDonald) and The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee (directed by James Lapine.) Off-Broadway – TAIL! SPIN! (starring Rachel Dratch), The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee at Second Stage, which earned him a Lucille Lortel Award nomination, Merrily We Roll Along for Encores! at City Center (directed by James Lapine), Vanities at Second Stage and Lysistrata Jones for the Transport Group, My Favorite Year (York Theater). International credits include Der Schuh Das Manitu (Berlin, Germany). Regional theatres include – The MUNY, Goodspeed, Dallas Theatre Center, La Jolla Playhouse, Papermill Playhouse, Trinity Rep, Pioneer Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Baltimore Centerstage, Theatreworks Palo Alto, Hangar Theatre. Indianapolis Opera, Opera Illinois, Surflight Theatre. TV/Film credits include Palindromes, Dark Horse and White Collar, and the 2011 TV Land Awards with Liza Minnelli. Dan also choreographed FatboySlim’s #1 music video “It’s a Wonderful Night.” Dan is a member of the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and holds a BFA in theatre from Otterbein College.
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The Role of Broadway Associate/Resident Directors and Choreographers
07/29/2022
The Role of Broadway Associate/Resident Directors and Choreographers
In this conversation we hear from associate directors and choreographers to learn what their jobs entail and how they navigate their work in the industry. This event will be in webinar format and ASL interpretation will be provided. The conversation is moderated by Benjamin Endsley Klein (Associate Director, Hairspray West End, The Ferryman, Carousel), and the panel includes Nancy Renee Braun (Resident Choreographer, Moulin Rouge & Associate Choreographer, Beetlejuice), Chika Ike (Associate Director, Hadestown Broadway/Tour), Tatiana Pandiani (Associate Director, What The Constitution Means To Me), and Danny Sharron (Senior Associate Director, Dear Evan Hansen Broadway/West End/Toronto/Tour). Learn more about our panelists here: Join our mailing list:
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Returning to Rehearsal with Justin Emeka and Marya Sea Kaminski
07/29/2022
Returning to Rehearsal with Justin Emeka and Marya Sea Kaminski
As live productions resume across the country, theater artists and managers are working to reopen for audiences. There are several conversations they must respond to—namely the ongoing pandemic and calls for action for equity and inclusion. This series will elevate those conversations, hearing from a group of theater leaders, directors and choreographers about their experiences on returning. In the final installment of this series Justin Emeka, Resident Director at the Pittsburgh Public Theater and Marya Sea Kaminski, Artistic Director at the Pittsburgh Public Theater join us in conversation. Learn more about our panelists here: Join our mailing list:
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Returning to Rehearsal with Raja Feather Kelly, Leigh Silverman, & Yuvika Tolani
07/29/2022
Returning to Rehearsal with Raja Feather Kelly, Leigh Silverman, & Yuvika Tolani
As live productions resume across the country, theater artists and managers are working to reopen for audiences. There are several conversations they must respond to—namely the ongoing pandemic and calls for action for equity and inclusion. This series will elevate those conversations, hearing from a group of theater leaders, directors and choreographers about their experiences on returning. In the second installment of this series Raja Feather Kelly, choreographer of SUFFS, Leigh Silverman, director of SUFFS, and Yuvika Tolani, Director of Producing at The Public Theater join us in conversation as they discuss the process of putting up this production. Learn more about the panelists here: Join our mailing list:
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One-on-One Conversation with Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Justin Emeka
06/30/2022
One-on-One Conversation with Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Justin Emeka
On November 5, 2015, Two Rivers Artistic Director John Dias sat down with actor, playwright, and director Ruben Santiago-Hudson and actor, playwright, choreographer and director Justin Emeka to discuss their bodies of work and philosophical approaches to directing. Throughout the conversation Santiago-Hudson and Emeka touch on the importance of thoughtful casting, directing both Shakespeare and August Wilson, and the importance of representation. In this discussion, Santiago-Hudson and Emeka unpack issues of privilege, empowerment, and adaptation—all issues that a director must face as he or she approaches any body of work. Listen in as these two masters of the stage engage in a rich philosophical discussion about their craft and the material they work with.
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One-on-One Conversation with Lear deBessonet and Thomas Kail
06/30/2022
One-on-One Conversation with Lear deBessonet and Thomas Kail
In 2015, Thomas Kail and Lear Debessonet participated in a One-on-One conversation that focused on their experiences as young directors. In this podcast, deBessonet shares her early interest in interdisciplinary work that led to her current role as Director of Public Works at the Public Theater. Throughout their conversation, Kail and deBessonet talk about various elements in an emerging director’s life—the importance of making work with friends, the advantages and disadvantages of assisting, the importance of having mentors, and how young artists can ultimately claim the identity of “director.” Listen in as these two artists share their thought-provoking experiences, reflections, and ideas in this thought-provoking conversation.
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One-on-One Conversation with Leigh Silverman and Thomas Kail
06/30/2022
One-on-One Conversation with Leigh Silverman and Thomas Kail
In 2015, Director Thomas Kail sat down with Director Leigh Silverman in a One-on-One conversation about craft, career, and professional trajectories. In their conversation, Silverman expresses her thoughts on the value of readings, how female directors have to prove themselves in a male-dominated industry, and the apparent stigma surrounding ambition in professional theater. Additionally, Silverman and Kail talk about ideal directorial skills and their thoughts on what it means to soak up ideas, challenge what is known, and how to handle a piece when it doesn’t speak to the director. Listen in as these two master directors examine directing vis-à-vis their own lives and careers.
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One-on-One Conversation with Rachel Chavkin and Thomas Kail
06/30/2022
One-on-One Conversation with Rachel Chavkin and Thomas Kail
In the summer of 2015, Director Thomas Kail sat down with Director Rachel Chavkin in a one-on-one conversation about Chavkin’s career and trajectory as a director. Throughout the discussion, Kail and Chavkin discuss a series of questions ranging from ‘how can directors balance running a company with a freelance lifestyle?’ to ‘How do you know when a piece is good?’ and ‘Should directors read reviews?’ In addition to discussing these questions, Chavkin discusses what shaped her career as a director and offers insight into the process of directing Three Pianos and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. Listen in on this intriguing conversation between two exciting artists!
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One-on-One Conversation with Anne Bogart and Lear deBessonet
06/30/2022
One-on-One Conversation with Anne Bogart and Lear deBessonet
On February 6, 2015, SDCF held a One-on-One discussion with directors Anne Bogart and Lear deBessonet at New York’s National Opera Center. Throughout this brief conversation between mentor and mentee, community, collaboration, and inclusivity are listed as core values for a director, which are illustrated through some of their respective career highlights. Additional topics discussed include rehearsal techniques and methods for preparation; the relationship between actors and audiences; what it’s like to empower and create theatre with people who don’t self-identify as artists; the various responsibilities that directors possess; and how approaches and performance styles on stage vary from film and television.
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Returning to Rehearsal with Estefanía Fadul & Paige Price
03/09/2022
Returning to Rehearsal with Estefanía Fadul & Paige Price
As live productions resume across the country, theater artists and managers are working to reopen for audiences. There are several conversations they must respond to—namely the ongoing pandemic and calls for action for equity and inclusion. This series will elevate those conversations, hearing from a group of theater leaders, directors and choreographers about their experiences on returning. In the first installment of this series we hear from Producing Artistic Director of Philadelphia Theatre Company Paige Price and director of The Garbologists at Philadelphia Theatre Company Estefanía Fadul as they join us in conversation and discuss the process of putting up this production. Learn more about the panelists here: Join our mailing list:
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2021 Zelda Fichandler Awardee Mark Valdez and Michael John Garcés In Conversation
03/04/2022
2021 Zelda Fichandler Awardee Mark Valdez and Michael John Garcés In Conversation
In this episode, the SDCF 2021 Zelda Fichandler Award Winner, Mark Valdez is interviewed by Michael John Garcés and they discuss everything from the most beautiful theater and how art can influence policy to rethinking the need for traditional performance spaces and leavening heavy themes with silliness and surprises. This podcast took place in early February 2022, Mark is now the current Artistic Director for the Mixed Blood Theatre. recognizes directors and choreographers who have demonstrated great accomplishment to date with singular creativity and deep investment in a particular community or region. The award was named after Zelda Fichandler who was the founding artistic director of the Arena Stage in Washington D.C. You can find this year's . Mark Valdez is an LA-based director, writer, and cultural organizer. His work has been seen at community venues and professional theatres across California, including a tomato field in Grayson, a de-commissioned Catholic cathedral in downtown LA, as well from the stages of La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley to the stages of Ricardo Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood for a Center Theatre Group produced production. Nationally, Mark has worked at theatres such as the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, where he created A Road to a Dream, a community collaboration along a 10-mile stretch of the Buford Highway, to shed light on the toll our nation’s broken immigration policies have on families and communities; Arizona’s Childsplay Theatre where he adapted and directed Gary Soto’s book, Chato’s Kitchen, about a low-rider gato from East LA; and Trinity Rep in Providence, where he directed A Christmas Carol that included 85 community choirs. His play Highland Park is Here, won the Audience Award at the Highland Park Film Festival and will be featured in Re:Encuentro, the national Latina/o/x Theater Festival. He is a current Board member of Double Edge Theatre and Cornerstone Theater Company, and a former Board member of TCG. Mark is currently working on The Most Beautiful Home…Maybe, a multi-city project that aims to influence housing policy utilizing performance, cultural organizing, and creative community development strategies.
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SDCF Awards 2021
02/24/2021
SDCF Awards 2021
SDCF announced the honorees of this year’s Joe A. Callaway Awards, Gordon Davidson Award, and The Zelda Fichandler Award. The Awards were presented virtually on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 8pm ET.
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One-on-One Conversation with Sheldon Epps and Seret Scott
10/15/2020
One-on-One Conversation with Sheldon Epps and Seret Scott
On Thursday, October 8th, 2020 SDCF Trustee Sheldon Epps continued his conversation on artistic leadership with Gordon Davidson Award recipient Seret Scott. Scott and Epps discussed her wide-ranging and inspiring achievements and her work with the Free Southern Theatre in the 1960s, her performances as an actress on Broadway and beyond, and her remarkable career as a freelance director across the country.
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SDCF's Second Virtual Roundtable Conversation
09/08/2020
SDCF's Second Virtual Roundtable Conversation
On August 25th, 2020 SDCF Trustee and Artistic Director Emeritus of Pasadena Playhouse Sheldon Epps moderated a second roundtable conversation with regional Artistic Directors new to their roles about facing the specific challenges of the moment. He was joined by Melia Bensussen (Hartford Stage), Tim Bond (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley), David Ivers (South Coast Repertory), Rob Melrose (Alley Theatre) and Sarah Rasmussen (McCarter Theatre Center).
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Financial Planning with Jacquette Timmons
08/04/2020
Financial Planning with Jacquette Timmons
On July 22, 2020 SDCF held a webinar with financial behaviorist, Jacquette Timmons. Jacquette spoke with us about financial planning during long-term unemployment and shared her unique blend of strategic budgeting advice coupled with candid talk about the ways our emotions play out in our financial lives.
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SDCF Virtual Roundtable Conversation
07/29/2020
SDCF Virtual Roundtable Conversation
On July 9th, 2020 SDCF hosted a virtual roundtable conversation, moderated by Sheldon Epps, SDCF Trustee and Artistic Director Emeritus of Pasadena Playhouse. He led a conversation about the challenges and opportunities of leading a non-ethnic specific organization as a leader of color. Sheldon was joined by Artistic Directors Robert Barry Fleming (Actors Theatre of Louisville), Nataki Garrett (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Jacob Padrón (Long Wharf Theatre), Hana Sharif (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), and Stephanie Ybarra (Baltimore Center Stage).
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The Founder's Series with Anne Kauffman: Jonathan McCrory and Sade Lythcott (Guests)
05/20/2020
The Founder's Series with Anne Kauffman: Jonathan McCrory and Sade Lythcott (Guests)
In this episode, Anne speaks with Jonathan McCrory, Artistic Director and Sade Lythcott, CEO of the @National Black Theatre. They discuss Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s revolutionary vision and the founding of Harlem’s National Black Theatre; how Jonathan joined the National Black Theatre team and how together, Sade and Jonathan have reimagined the theatre’s mission, audience and visibility in the 21st century.
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The Founder's Series with Anne Kauffman: Emily Mann (Guest)
04/21/2020
The Founder's Series with Anne Kauffman: Emily Mann (Guest)
The Founder's Series was created by Anne Kauffman, Artistic Director of Encores! Off Center at New York City Center, as part of SDCF’s Podcast Series. In this series, Anne interviews artistic directors and founders who have had a lasting impact on the nonprofit theater community around the country. In this episode Anne talks with Emily Mann, Artistic Director of the McCarter Theatre Center, about her career journey as a female director, the adversity she’s faced, and how she has navigated these situations, including the current COVID-19 crisis, with strength.
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Careers in the Classics with Ethan McSweeny: Geoffrey Kent (Guest)
01/03/2020
Careers in the Classics with Ethan McSweeny: Geoffrey Kent (Guest)
American Shakespeare Center's Artistic Director, Ethan McSweeny sat down with Geoffrey Kent in a new episode of SDCF Podcast Series: Careers in the Classics.
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Regional Originals with M. Graham Smith: Evren Odcikin (Guest)
12/12/2019
Regional Originals with M. Graham Smith: Evren Odcikin (Guest)
Evren Odcikin, Founder of Maia Directors, sits with M. Graham Smith to discuss career and craft of working in regional theaters.
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Careers in the Classics with Ethan McSweeny: Eric Tucker (Guest)
11/20/2019
Careers in the Classics with Ethan McSweeny: Eric Tucker (Guest)
American Shakespeare Center's artistic director, Ethan McSweeny sat with Eric Tucker in the new SDCF Podcast Series, Careers in the Classics.
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Careers in the Classics with Ethan McSweeny: Sharon Ott (Guest)
08/22/2019
Careers in the Classics with Ethan McSweeny: Sharon Ott (Guest)
On July 6th, 2019, American Shakespeare Center's artistic director, Ethan McSweeny sat with Sharon Ott, the director of ASC's production of Antony and Cleopatra, for the inaugural episode of the brand new SDCF Podcast Series, Careers in the Classics.
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Regional Originals with M. Graham Smith: Elizabeth Williamson (Guest)
07/24/2019
Regional Originals with M. Graham Smith: Elizabeth Williamson (Guest)
Elizabeth Williamson, Associate Artistic Director at Hartford Stage, sits with M. Graham Smith to discuss career and craft of working in regional theaters.
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