The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers - Independent National Labor Union

Observership Program
The Observership program of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) was established to offer emerging, early-career directors and choreographers the opportunity to observe the work of master directors and choreographers as they create new productions on Broadway, off-Broadway and at leading regional theatres, primarily in New York, Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. SDCF Observers often have access to the entire rehearsal process, from first rehearsal to opening night.

The exact nature of each Observership varies depending on the needs and desires of the Mentor Director or Mentor Choreographer. It must be remembered that these are Observerships, not assistantships. However, you will be guaranteed the invaluable opportunity to observe, first-hand, the techniques, disciplines, approaches and insights of master artists as they create new productions. Anything more is up to you, the mentor and the circumstances of the rehearsal. By making yourself available to the director, writer and production team, your role may develop into something more.

Each Observership includes a modest stipend to help defray the recipients expenses during the rehearsal period. In addition, any Observer who is not already a member of SSDC will be awarded a one-year SSDC Associate membership upon completion of their final report.

To download an Observership Application (pdf) for the 2008-09 season click HERE. To download an Observership Application (doc) for the 2008-09 season click HERE.

The application deadline is September 8, 2008 but we do encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible because Observers will be placed prior to the deadline. Contact foundation@ssdc.org with any questions about the application process.

To see a full list of 07-08 Observerships, please click HERE

Director / Dramatist Exchange
These events, co-sponsored by the Dramatist Guild, are conceived as a two-hour networking session to introduce directors and writers working in the New York area. During the first hour there will be a very brief introduction process. The second hour will be a social gathering during which participating directors can mingle and talk further with the Guild members. Through the Exchange, the Foundation hopes to foster ongoing, working relationships between writers and directors. Exchanges are limited to 20 directors.

Director / Musical Theatre Exchange
Co-sponsored by the Dramatist Guild, the Director/Musical Theatre Exchange was conceived as a two-hour networking session to introduce directors and composers, lyricists, and librettists working in the New York area. During the first hour there will be a very brief introduction process. The second hour will be a social gathering during which participating directors can mingle and talk further with the Guild members. Through the Exchange, the Foundation hopes to foster ongoing, working relationships between writers and directors. Exchanges are limited to 20 directors and choreographers.

Director/Choreographer Networking Meetings
Meeting at 6:00pm on the third Tuesday of each month, the Director/Choreographer Network (DCN) provides a supportive atmosphere and career network through its regular meetings and discussions. The DCN was created to give directors and choreographers the chance to meet and interact in an informal setting. The nature of the discussion allows participants to share knowledge, experiences and resources, while also gaining an understanding of the issues and processes of other artists. While maintaining its vital socializing and networking atmosphere, DCN enhances the meetings with guest speakers - experts in the meeting's pre-selected discussion topic - who are invited each month to speak and answer questions. DCN attracts a divers group of artists from different backgrounds and career levels who stimulate lively and thought-provoking discussions filled with expert insights and practical information.

All programs and events of the SDCFoundation are held in venues that are wheelchair accessible.

The Denham Fellowship
Established by Mary Orr Denham in 2006 with a bequest to the SDCFoundation in honor of her late husband, Reginald H. F. Denham, the Denham Fellowship is "an annual award to aspiring young directors, and particularly women directors, to further develop their directing skills." Application to the Denham Fellowship is open to SSDC Members and Associates only. Both men and women may apply.

Guidelines: Candidates may apply to the Denham Fellowship under one of two criteria:
1. Fee Enhancement Under Fee Enhancement, the Denham Fellowship would serve to augment a fee offered to the Director by a theatre/producer.
2. Self-Producing When applying as a Self-Producing Director, the Denham Fellowship would serve to cover/augment the Director's fee.

Fellowship Award Amount: One award of $3,000 will be granted per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).

Download an application for the 2008/09 Denham Fellowship HERE.

2007/08 Denham Fellowship
May Adrales
Directing FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY at PURE Theatre in Charleston, SC.

The Sir John Gielgud Fellowship
The Sir John Gielgud Fellowship originated in 1996 with a generous contribution from Sir John Gielgud to provide opportunities for early-career directors to study the artistic process of master directors of classical plays. A Gielgud Fellowship Advisory Committee including leading directors of classical plays and other key individuals selects the show, the mentor and the fellow each year. There is no application process, selection is by committee member recommendation only. In addition, any Gielgud Fellow who is not already a member of SSDC will be awarded a one-year SSDC Associate membership.

2007/08 Sir John Gielgud Fellowship
CORIOLANUS at Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Director: Laird Williamson
2007/08 Gielgud Fellow: Michole Biancosino

The Mike Ockrent Fellowship
Modeled on our prestigious Sir John Gielgud Fellowship in Classical Theatre, the goal of the Mike Ockrent Fellowship is to help early-career directors of promise develop their skills in directing theatre by allowing them to assist a master director on the creation of a big-budget Broadway musical or play. In doing so, the fellowship will present a new generation of gifted artists with a remarkable education in - and unique understanding of - the directorial skills necessary to create theatre on a Broadway scale. One Mike Ockrent Fellowship will be awarded each year. Each fellow will be mentored by a leading director in the field who will share information, insights and resources. The fellow shall have the opportunity to participate in the entire production process, from conceptual meetings, design discussions, casting sessions, rehearsals, previews, etc. The mentor is responsible for including the fellow in the production process. To provide financial assistance to the fellow, SDCF will offer a monetary stipend to the fellow during the rehearsal period. Prospective candidates are invited to apply based on recommendations from an advisory committee of distinguished artists.

2007/08 Mike Ockrent Fellowship
TBD

The Shepherd and Mildred Traube Fellowship
The Traube Fellowship was established in 1999 in celebration of the 40th anniversary of SSDC and to honor the legacy of Shepard and Mildred Traube. Shepard Traube was one of SSDC's founders and Mildred Traube served for many years as the SSDC's Executive Secretary. The Traube Fellowship supports the development of future Broadway artists by providing early-career directors and choreographers with the opportunity to assist or observe a master director or choreographer at work on a Broadway production. The Traube Fellowship is administered through and operates as a component of SDCFoundation's Observership Program.

2007/08 Traube Fellows
Jennifer DiDonato
Show: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Mentor Director/Choreographer: Susan Stroman

Michael Albanese
Show: CRY-BABY
Mentor Director: Mark Brokaw

If you have any questions about SDCF events, programs, or fellowships, please email foundation@ssdc.org or call 212-391-1070, ext. 252.

The "Mr. Abbott" Award
Named in honor of the legendary director George Abbott, the “Mr. Abbott” Award is presented to a director or choreographer in recognition of lifetime achievement in American theatre. Past recipients of the “Mr. Abbott” Award include Daniel Sullivan, Kathleen Marshall, Rob Marshall, Lynne Meadow, Jack O’Brien, Susan Stroman, Graciela Daniele, Lloyd Richards, Jerry Zaks, and Harold Prince, among others.

To see a full list of Abbott recipients, please click HERE

The Joe A. Callaway Award
Created in 1989, the Callaway Awards are named for actor/director/teacher Joe A. Callaway and are presented annually in accordance with Mr. Callaway's directive to recognize excellence in the craft of directing and/or choreography during the New York City theatre season from September 1st through August 31st. The Callaway Committee, composed of current SSDC members, considers all professional shows (with the exception of Broadway and Showcase productions) produced within the five boroughs of New York City. Each production must be filed under an SSDC contract and the director or choreographer must be a member-in-good-standing of SSDC in order to be considered for the award. This is the only award given by professional directors and choreographers to their peers.

To check on your production’s eligibility or to invite the Committee to see your eligible production during the 2007/08 season, please contact Callaway Committee Chair Linda Burson at 646-674-1314.

To see a full list of Callaway recipients, please click HERE

Stage Directors Handbook
2nd Edition
A comprehensive resource guide with information on college, university and certificate programs; director training and career development opportunities; unions/guilds; grants and fellowships; agents; attorneys; service organizations; theatres and production opportunities. Edited by Sarah Hart, with a forward by SSDC Board President Pamela Berlin, this new edition is a valuable resource for emerging and established directors and choreographers alike.
Order your copy from the TCG Bookstore.

The Journal for Stage Directors and Choreographers
The new issue of The Journal for Stage Directors and Choreographers, Team Work: Collaborating Behind the Scenes, is now available. With contributions from Walter Bobbie, Marc Bruni, Christopher Gattelli, Liza Gennaro, Dan Knechtges, Nancy Piccione, Bernie Telsey, Martin Gage, Victoria Morris, and Julie McDonald, this issue is filled with information, insights, and anecdotes about how these distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the theatre work in collaboration with each other. Also included in this issue is a special tribute to George Abbott and the “Mr. Abbott” Awards. To order your copy, please send a check or money order for $20 to:
SDCFoundation
1501 Broadway, Suite 1701
New York, NY 10036
For more information about The Journal, please email journal@ssdc.org