The Drama League has dramatically expanded its annual Directors Project, a two-year program for early-to-mid career stage directors that places them in fellowships in theatres in New York and across the country.
The new expansion will see the first-ever international fellowship opportunity, through a new partnership with London's Rose Theatre. Also joining the roster of fellowships: Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education, joining existing partners Manhattan Theatre Club, McCarter Theatre Center, New York Stage and Film, Red Bull Theater, Keen Company, and TheatreWorksUSA.
Stage directors interested in working in film and TV can also now apply for the League's 4-7 week fellowships aimed at screen projects. Participants will be mentored by writer-director-showrunner Tony Phelan (Grey's Anatomy, A Small Light). The League has also established a Film Fund to assist stage directors working on filmed projects, prioritizing Directors Project alumni. The fund will offer grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to one or more projects, selected by a committee including Phelan, Keith Powell (Young Rock), and Jessica Petelle (Trigger Point).
Newly taking over the DirectorFest, the culmination of the Directors Project that sees its participants directing one-act works presented in repertory, is Keen Company. The partnership will see Directors Project participants making their Off-Broadway debuts with the performance.
“Artists are our most precious resource, and directors—the leaders of live storytelling—deserve world-class support programs,” says Drama League Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks in a statement. "The Drama League’s Directors Project has been industry-leading for 40 years, but this moment requires expanded commitments from service organizations. That is exactly what our dedicated staff, visionary board of directors, and community members of The Drama League intend to do."
More information on the League's programs, including applications to participate, is available at DramaLeague.org.
