The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) has named Violeta Picayo and Sharifa Essa Yasmin the inaugural recipients of the Abe Burrows Award for Assistant Directors. 

Established by the James and Deborah Burrows Foundation and supported by a matching contribution from Thomas Kail, the award supports early career directors. Both Picayo and Yasmin will receive an unrestricted $10,000 prize that may be used in any way that allows them to focus on their work as an assistant director to an SDC Member between June 2024 and December 2025.

The award honors late Tony-winning director Abe Burrows (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), who was dedicated to supporting the next generation of directors.

“I learned my craft by assisting my father and others," James Burrows, director and son of Abe Burrows said in an earlier statement. "It is my hope that this award will provide the access and opportunity for other emerging artists to do the same."

Founded in 1965, SDCF is a not-for-profit foundation intended to celebrate and support directors and choreographers throughout their careers.

Visit SDCFoundation.org.