Stage Directors & Choreographers Foundation

SDCF Zelda Fichandler Award deadline for nominations now extended until September 6, 2024. This year’s Zelda Fichandler Award honors a director or choreographer who is transforming theatre in the Western Region of the United States, comprised of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Learn more and nominate through this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/recognition.../fichandler-award/

Named for a giant of the regional theatre movement, the Zelda Fichandler Award recognizes directors and choreographers who are in the heart of their creative lives; who have demonstrated great accomplishment to date and show continued promise for the future; and who have made prominent achievements in the field with singular creativity, artistry, and deep investment in a specific community. The Award is not to honor lifetime achievement. The goal of the Fichandler Award is to recognize and further encourage those artists who have made a commitment to creating regional theatre.

Photo c/o Arena Stage

Applications for the SDCF Professional Development Program 2024-2025 Season Cyle 2 are now open until August 21, 2024, by 11:59 PM ET. To learn more about the opportunities available and to access the application, please visit this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/professional-development-program-2024-2025-season-cycle-2/

Mentors:
Keenan Tyler Oliphant - Hadestown on Broadway - New York City
Michael Mayer - Swept Away on Broadway - New York City
Tyne Rafaeli - Data by Matthew Libby - Arena Stage - Washington, DC

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, Local USA 829, Studio School of Design and TSDCA will be hosting their annual in-person director/choreographer-designer networking event at Chelsea Factory in NYC. Join us on Monday, August 12th from 2:30-5:30pm. Sign up through this link: https://forms.gle/SDMFLDRNhBYs4HVt8

The event will consist of a series of one-on-one meetings where director/choreographers will be paired with designers. It will also include a mixer in the final hour. It’s open to designers, directors, and choreographers at all stages of their careers, and participants do not need to be members of SDC or USA 829 to attend.

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the Inaugural Abe Burrows Award for Assistant Directors. Established by the James and Deborah Burrows Foundation and supported by a generous matching contribution from Thomas Kail, the award will be given this year to two early career directors, Violeta Picayo and Sharifa Yasmin, each of whom will receive an unrestricted $10,000 award. The Abe Burrows Award is given annually to a director or director/choreographer who is working as an assistant director. The award will allow the recipients to fully focus on their work as an assistant director to an SDC Member between June 2024 and December 2025.

Learn more about the awardees and the award through this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/2024-inaugural-abe-burrows-award-for-assistant-directors-awardee-announcement/

We are excited to share this video replay of the SDCF Virtual Panel: Demystifying Pre-Production with Knud Adams, Maija García, and Delicia Turner Sonnenberg from Monday, June 24, 2024. This panel focused on the pre-production process, giving insights and a better understanding of all the things that happen between when a director signs a contract and first rehearsal. The panelists talked about what they have discovered over the years makes for the strongest pre-production process for them before rehearsals begin. Check out the link: https://youtu.be/sk2yRDkM30g?si=DRuMCImOUzM9IXkU

Applications for the SDCF Professional Development Program 2024-2025 Season Cyle 1 are now open until June 28, 2024, by 11:59 PM ET. To learn more about the opportunities available and to access the application, please visit this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/professional-development-program-2024-2025-season-cycle-1/

Mentors:
Saheem Ali - GOOD BONES by James Ijames at The Public Theater – New York City
Jamie Lloyd - SUNSET BOULEVARD on Broadway - New York City
Tatiana Pandiani - FISH by Melis Aker at Signature Theatre - New York City
Dámaso Rodríguez - THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH by Thornton Wilder at Seattle Repertory Theatre - Seattle, WA

Join the SDCF Virtual Panel: Demystifying Pre-Production with Knud Adams, Maija García, and Delicia Turner Sonnenberg on Monday, June 24 from 6:00 PM ET – 7:30 PM ET. This panel will focus on the pre-production process, giving insights and a better understanding of all the things that happen between when a director signs a contract and first rehearsal. The panelists will talk about what they have discovered over the years makes for the strongest pre-production process for them before rehearsals starts. This is a free panel and ASL interpretation will be provided. Learn more about the panelists and register for the panel through this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/conversations-community/panels/

Applications are now open to SDC Members and Associates to apply for the Denham Fellowship until Monday, July 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. Established by Mary Orr Denham in 2006 with a bequest to the SDC Foundation in honor of her late husband, Reginald H. F. Denham, the Denham Fellowship is awarded annually to women who are early and mid-career directors to further develop their directing skills.

Candidates may apply to the Denham Fellowship for the funding to be under one of two plans: fee enhancement or self-producing. Learn more about the award and apply through this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/opportunities/2024-2025-denham-fellowship-application-information/

We are excited to share the 2023 SDCF Awards speeches with you. You can watch all our awardee speeches on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com//videos

We're just 5 days away from the SDCF Awards! Join us online for The 7th Annual SDCF Awards on May 6th, 2024 at 8PM ET/5PM PT. We look forward to celebrating our awardees and finalists with all of you! RSVP through this link: https://forms.gle/XSvAcdDzXfmMdpQT8

Thanks for sharing, Playbill!

Rebecca Aparicio Wins SDCF's 2024 Barbara Whitman Award The award recognizes a female, trans, or non-binary director who has developed a clear and distinctive artistic voice and demonstrated unique vision in their theatrical work.

We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2024 Barbara Whitman Award. Directors Jo Cattell, Bo Frazier, Cara Hinh, Lanise Antoine Shelley, and Benita de Wit were all recognized as finalists for the award and received a $1,000 unrestricted award.

Established by theatrical producer Barbara Whitman in 2021, this award is given annually to a woman, trans, or non-binary director who has developed a clear and distinctive artistic voice and demonstrated unique vision in their theatrical work. This award is meant to heighten visibility for a director & their work in the field as well as support the work of the director with a $10,000 unrestricted award.

To learn more about the finalists and awardee Rebecca Aparicio, check out this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/2024-barbara-whitman-award-recipient-and-finalists/

Jo Cattell's photo was taken by Joe Mazza.

We are thrilled to announce Rebecca Aparicio as the 2024 Barbara Whitman Award Winner. Established by theatrical producer Barbara Whitman in 2021, this award is given annually to a woman, trans, or non-binary director who has developed a clear and distinctive artistic voice and demonstrated unique vision in their theatrical work. This award is meant to heighten visibility for a director & their work in the field as well as support the work of the director with an unrestricted award of $10,000.

We also want to congratulate the Barbara Whitman Award finalists, Jo Cattell, Bo Frazier, Cara Hinh, Lanise Antoine Shelley, and Benita de Wit were all recognized as finalists for the award.

Photo Credit: Jackie Abbott

To learn more about Rebecca and the finalists, check out this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/2024-barbara-whitman-award-recipient-and-finalists/

We want to send a warm congratulations to Cristin Carole who has been selected as this season’s SDCF Denham Fellow for her upcoming production of A NIGHT AT CLUB DELISA at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Chicago, Illinois produced by The Sammy Dyer School of Theatre. The Denham Fellowship comes with a $10,000 award.

Learn more about Cristin Carole, A NIGHT AT CLUB DELISA, and the Denham Fellowship through this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/opportunities/fellowships/2023-2024-sdcf-fellows/

We are excited to bring you a video recording from our one on one conversation with 2023 Tony Award Winner Michael Arden hosted by SDCF and the Museum of Broadway. Interviewed by SDC Executive Director Laura Penn, this conversation focused on Michael's expansive career to date including a deeper dive into his work as an artist and practice as a director.

In case you missed it or if you would like to rewatch the panel conversation you can check it out on YouTube through this link: https://youtu.be/ZdgdoQZGBwQ?si=muovhjgwF72PbXTL

Special thanks to Michael Weir and the Maria Torres Emerging Artists Foundation for recording this conversation. Photos taken Tatiana Montes.

We are excited to bring you a video recording from our panel The Journey from Dancer to Choreographer with Mayte Natalio, Adesola Osakalumi, and Ellenore Scott. This conversation focused on career transitions or expansions, specifically for dancers who have shifted or added choreography to their artistic practice. This video was recorded by Michael Weir supported by the Maria Torres Emerging Artists Foundation.

In case you missed it or if you would like to rewatch the panel conversation you can check it out YouTube and Vimeo.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/2omDqUuU-5E
Vimeo (with subtitles): https://vimeo.com/928060557

Join us online for The 7th Annual SDCF Awards on May 6th, 2024 at 8PM ET/5PM PT. We look forward to celebrating our awardees and finalists with all of you! RSVP through this link: https://forms.gle/XSvAcdDzXfmMdpQT8

Thank you for sharing!

Congratulations, Anne, for being named the 2023 recipient of the Gordon Davidson Award from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation!

The award recognizes a director or choreographer for lifetime achievement ad distinguished service in the national not-for-profit theatre.

Thank you, Anne, for all your incredible work on behalf of SITI and our field!

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. This episode explores 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.

Check out the episode here: https://sdcfmastersofthestage.libsyn.com/website/choreographers-in-conversation-camden-gonzales-sonya-tayeh

Last week SDCF and a group of Professional Development Program Participants had a wonderful evening attending The Shed's production of The Effect. Thank you, Jamie Lloyd, Yukiko Masui, and The Shed, for coordinating an informative talkback with our participants.

Pictured here is Directing Shadow Irvin Mason Jr., Directing Observer Dezi Tibbs, Director Jamie Lloyd, Movement Director Yukiko Masui, Directing Fellow Alexandra Haddad, Directing Observer Phoebe Brooks, Directing Observer Mayah Lourdes Burke, Directing Observer Jean Carlo Yunén Aróstegui, SDCF Program Associate Hannah Kutten, Choreography Shadow Ariana Andretta, and Directing Observer Claudia Mulet.

Picture 1 taken by SDCF Director Dani Barlow
Picture 2 taken by Phoebe Brooks

Yesterday, SDC Executive Director Laura Penn interviewed Michael Arden at the Museum of Broadway, which was held in partnership with SDCF. Thank you to all who attended and tuned in to the livestream. If you couldn’t get tickets to this sold-out event, you’ll be able to watch the video replay, which will be shared in the next month.

We are pleased to announce director Anne Bogart as the 2023 recipient of the SDCF Gordon Davidson Award. Named in honor of the founding artistic director of Los Angeles's Center Theatre Group and one of the visionary leaders of the resident theatre movement, the Gordon Davidson Award recognizes a director or choreographer for lifetime achievement and distinguished service in the national not-for-profit theatre.

For more on Anne Bogart’s accomplishments and full press release visit this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/2023-gordon-davidson-award-recipient-anne-bogart/

We are thrilled to announce our Professional Development Program 2023-2024 Cycle 2 Recipients! Read all about them through this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/professional-development-program-2023-2024-season-cycle-2-recipients/

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 this 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.

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Libsyn, and more through the link in our bio: https://sdcfmastersofthestage.libsyn.com/website

In partnership with the Museum of Broadway, join us for an in-person conversation with 2023 Tony Award winner Michael Arden, director of the revivals of PARADE, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and SPRING AWAKENING on Broadway. Interviewed by SDC Executive Director Laura Penn, this conversation will focus on Michael's expansive career to date including a deeper dive into his work as an artist and practice as a director. A short Q & A will follow. ASL interpretation will be provided.

Reserve your ticket here: https://events.humanitix.com/michael-arden-one-on-one

Update: 2.23.24 - This event is sold out but you can now join the waitlist through the link above.

SDCF is thrilled to announce that Rebecca Kritzer has been selected as SDCF’s 2024 Mike Ockrent Fellow. Her fellowship is with Director Leigh Silverman and Choreographer Mayte Natalio on SUFFS. Learn more about Rebecca and the Mike Ockrent Fellowship through this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/opportunities/fellowships/2023-2024-sdcf-fellows/

Join The Journey from Dancer to Choreographer, an SDCF panel with Mayte Natalio, Adesola Osakalumi, and Ellenore Scott on Tuesday, February 27th at Sunlight Studios in New York City from 6:30pm – 8pm ET. This conversation will focus on career transitions or expansions, specifically for dancers who have shifted or added choreography to their artistic practice.

General admission tickets are $10 and tickets for SDC Members and Associate Members are $5. Space is limited! ASL interpreters will be provided. Please let us know if you will be using this resource by answering the interpretation question when you buy your ticket.

This event will not be livestreamed, but a recording will be made available.

Learn more about this event and buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sdcf-panel-the-journey-from-dancer-to-choreographer-tickets-825956035737?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thank you for sharing Playbill!

SDCF to Honor Raymond O. Caldwell With Zelda Fichandler Award May Adrales and Tinashe Kajese-Bolden have been named as finalists for the award.

We are thrilled to announce that May Adrales and Tinashe Kajese-Bolden have been named as the 2023 Zelda Fichandler Award finalists.

The Fichandler Award recognizes directors and choreographers who have demonstrated great accomplishment to date with singular creativity and deep investment in a particular community or region and is named for Zelda Fichandler, the founding artistic director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The award is presented annually, with a focus each year on a different region; all of nominees for this year’s Fichandler Award were directors and choreographers from the Eastern region.

Raymond O. Caldwell is the awardee.

Learn more about Raymond, May, Tinashe, and the Zelda Fichandler Award through this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/2023-zelda-fichandler-award-recipient-and-finalist/

We are thrilled to announce Raymond O. Caldwell, DC’s Theater Alliance, Producing Artistic Director as the 2023 Zelda Fichandler Award Recipient.

The Fichandler Award recognizes directors and choreographers who have demonstrated great accomplishment to date with singular creativity and deep investment in a particular community or region and is named for Zelda Fichandler, the founding artistic director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The award is presented annually, with a focus each year on a different region; all of nominees for this year’s Fichandler Award were directors and choreographers from the Eastern region.

May Adrales and Tinashe Kajese-Bolden have been named as finalists.

Learn more about Raymond, May, Tinashe, and the Zelda Fichandler Award through this link: https://sdcfoundation.org/2023-zelda-fichandler-award-recipient-and-finalist/