The Drama League has renamed its program for emerging directors in honor of press agent and Tony-winning producer Irene Gandy, who is also a 2020 recipient of a Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre. 

The newly named Irene Gandy Directing Assistantships partners with BIPOC/Global Majority stage directors to provide assistant directing opportunities on their productions to early-career BIPOC/Global Majority and/or historically marginalized directors.

The Assistantships program is national, with partner theatres and participants all over the country. Program participants are currently placed at Manhattan Theatre Club, Trinity Rep, Seattle Rep, New Jersey Repertory, National Black Theatre Festival, The Public Theater, WP Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Geffen Playhouse, Denver Theatre COmpany, Guthrie Theatre, and Antaeus Theatre Company.

“Irene literally crafted a path in our industry when there was no path,” says Drama League Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks in a statement. “Since joining the Drama League’s Board, Irene has spiritedly offered mentoring, education, and expertise to the Directors Project recipients. She teaches things they couldn’t learn any other way—in the exact same way the Assistantships will provide them knowledge, skills, and experience from working alongside respected directors around the country. This is how we build the next generation of theatrical leadership and ensure a future for our field.”

The Drama League, which announced the renaming December 4 at The Museum of Broadway, will reveal the next cohort of Irene Gandy Assistantships at the Drama League Awards May 17, 2024, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom.

The Irene Gandy Directing Assistantships program is a part of The Directors Project, a suite of career development opportunities for early- and mid-career directors.

Visit DramaLeague.org.