ATW - SDCF Masters of the Stage

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 first half of the conversation.

In 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 responses to the text, how to establish the physical world of the play, and how to visually develop the inner conflict within a character through technical elements. Other topics discussed include: working with new or unfamiliar designers, starting points for collaboration and inspiration, and the positives and negatives of labeling Shakespearean plays as "comedy" or "drama". This group of talented directors delving deep into a complex Shakespearean text is an hour of discussion that should not be missed.

On 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.

On 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.

On 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.

In 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 discussed include: Shakespeare's plays coming from the stage to the page and not vice versa, "A Winter's Tale" being published after Shakespeare's death, and the place of a poet in the theatre. This brief but incredibly thorough overview is a great recap for Shakespeare fans and a perfect introduction for those just getting started.

In 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.

Directors 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, Thomas Kail sat in conversation with Joe Mantello backstage at the Golden Theater. From Mantello's dressing room, their conversation traces his arc from actor to director and back, and the responsibility of taking risks to continue to evolve throughout a career.

In 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.

Directors 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, Thomas Kail sat in conversation with Jason Moore at Moore's apartment in Manhattan. Topics range from developing a new musical to the process of transferring Off-Broadway productions to Broadway without losing the immediacy of the initial production. They also address the challenge of maintaining longer running productions to ensure they consistently feel vibrant and fresh.

Directors 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, Thomas Kail sat in conversation with Alex Timbers at the SDC Offices. Their discussion explores how they followed their respective impulse to start their own theater company, and delves into the challenge of creating new work. They also address their inspirations and those who have influenced them as directors.

At 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 the development of new musicals. This conversation with a true master gives incredible insight into the history and current innovation in musical theatre.

At 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.

SDCF 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 to Regional and International stages. This dialogue sheds light on the current landscape of musical theatre.

At 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.