SDCF Podcast Series

On 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 Drama League, is a great tool for those seeking to take their artistic career in a different direction or to a new level. Originally recorded - November 20, 1996. Running Time - 1:28:04 © 1996 SDCF

On 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 working on Broadway in diverse fields - Lighting Designer James Bedell, Costume Designer Andrea Lauer, Scenic Designer Donyale Werle, Stage Manager Marjorie Horne, and Bob Usdin, Owner of Showman Fabricators, give insight into the ways that they are taking the environment into account without compromising their art form. By listening to this conversation, artists can discover questions to ask collaborators in pre-production, learn practical methods of conserving resources in rehearsal and tech, and understand why better environmental practices are essential for artists working today. Originally recorded - October 1, 2012. Running Time - 1:24:16 © 2012 SDCF

In 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 original material, the playwright's perspective on the intellectual property of a director in their own work, and the ways in which a director can protect themselves. Detailed, colorful and extremely informative, this conversation goes far beyond what the internet provides and provides valuable insight into an enduring, controversial issue for any director of new theatrical work. Originally recorded - January 1, 1996. Running Time - 1:22:19 © 1996 SDCF

On 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/Choreographer 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 such as NYMF and how a director or choreographer can best use the boundaries of a festival to advantage. Listen to this inspiring, focused discussion to explore the ins and outs of developing new musicals today. Originally recorded - July 23, 2012. Running Time - 1:26:22  © 2012 SDCF

Critics' Perceptions of Directors' Work: On 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 of the industry players. Originally recorded - March 1, 1984. Running Time - 1:25:33 © 1984 SDCF

On 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 important role theatre plays in community. Originally recorded - October 28, 1985. Running Time - 45:50 © 1985 SDCF

Producers Symposium 1983: On 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 between Producer and Director. Originally recorded - February 25, 1983. Running Time - 1:29:44 © 1983 SDCF

Artistic Directors: In 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 be the hardest part of the production process. These artistic directors share their approach to finding the best new director to work with their companies. Originally recorded - January 1, 1999. Running Time - 1:08:24 © 1999 SDCF

On 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 CNN midway through the program should be to C-SPAN.) Originally recorded - April 24, 2012. Running Time - 1:27:26 © 2012 SDCF

On 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. Originally recorded - May 19, 2012. Running Time - 1:14:53 © 2012 SDCF

On 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. Originally recorded - April 2, 2012. Running Time - 1:13:49 © 2012 SDCF

On 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. They express their hopes for the future or theatre, and what they gain and learn by working internationally. They share their personal definitions of success and why their work is categorized as political. This insightful conversation sheds light on how to create theatre that is personal, relevant, collaborative and unique. Originally recorded - May 14, 2012. Running Time - 1:23:00 © 2012 SDCF

On 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 them when they were getting their start. This dynamic conversation is a rare opportunity to peek into the artistic visions of two fantastic contemporary directors. This event was sponsored by A Summer of Theatre & Film at Southampton Arts. Originally recorded - April 30, 2012. Running Time - 1:21:41 © 2012 SDCF

Directing Shakespeare: Casting - It's A Bear: On 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. Originally recorded - April 29, 2001. Running Time - 1:31:35 © 2001 SDCF

On 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. Originally recorded - April 28, 2001. Running Time - 1:12:00 © 2001 SDCF