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.

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2002 Symposium: Hal Prince: 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 & 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. Originally recorded – June 1, 2002. Running Time – 1:20:46 © 2002 SDCF

In March of 1985, during the original Broadway run of Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, Susan Einhorn interviewed Tony Award-winning librettist and director James Lapine about how a director keeps a show in shape. In this seventy-five-minute interview, Lapine discusses replacements, understudies, stage managers and his relationship with the cast after a show opens. He talks about working with Sondheim and how his role in their relationship evolved from writing to directing. Other topics include directing in Central Park in the summer heat, writing work for himself to direct, and inserting songs into a production at the eleventh hour. For insight into a rarely discussed but important job of the director from one of the musical theatre greats, listen now! Originally recorded – March 15, 1985. Running Time – 1:16:03 © 1985 SDCF

In Conversation with… Susan Stroman: 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 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. Originally recorded – July 1, 2011. Running Time – 56:02 © 2011 SDCF

At its 2002 Musical Theatre Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel on the writer-director relationship featuring Urinetown composer/lyricist Greg Kotis, The Wild Party composer Andrew Lippa and director Gabriel Barre, Violet composer Jeanine Tesori, bookwriter/lyricist Brian Crawley and director Susan H. Schulman, Side Show director Robert Longbottom, Jelly’s Last Jam lyricist Susan Birkenhead, and tick, tick…BOOM! and Bat Boy director Scott Schwartz, moderated by Manhattan Theatre Club Musical Theatre Program director Clifford Lee Johnson. The panelists discuss the formation of their writer-director relationship on each of these shows: how the initial connection and trust happened, the barriers they had to overcome, and working on an unfinished show with a living writer vs. one who has already passed. The conversation is followed by a lively Q&A session about new musical development programs, the director’s role in the development of a musical and how to know when a relationship doesn’t work. Filled with many humorous stories, this panel offers great insight into this vital relationship as told by some of today’s top Broadway talent. Originally recorded – June 1, 2002. Running Time – 1:25:38 © 2002 SDCF

In Conversation with… Moisés Kaufman: 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 July 2011, Thomas Kail sat in conversation with Moises 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. Originally recorded – July 1, 2011. Running Time – 58:59 © 2011 SDCF