SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1984, THE DIRECTORS PROJECT HAS GROWN TO BECOME THE PREEMINENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THEATRE DIRECTORS — PROVIDING TALENTED YOUNG ARTISTS WITH CAREER-CHANGING EXPERIENCES IN THE PROFESSIONAL THEATRE.
As the country’s leading career development program for early and mid-career directors, the Drama League Directors Project has literally changed the face of the America Theatre. Our alumni now number over 260 and can be found working in all aspects of the entertainment profession. ‘Drama League Directors’ are directing on and off-Broadway, at regional theatres across the country, and in film and television. They are the artistic directors and associates at 55 regional theatres. Others hold prominent positions throughout the industry as producers, writers, agents and administrators, and many are educating the next generation of directors at some of our finest professional training programs. Their directing work has been honored with awards from Tonys to Emmys, and with the praise of critics and audiences alike.
The Directors Project:
| Enhances young directors’ artistic growth, broadens their knowledge, and hones their skills by providing opportunities to work with and learn from leading theatre artists around the country;
| Provides opportunities for young directors to present their work for the professional community;
| Augments the network of professionals to whom new directors can turn for counsel, support, and employment; and
| Accelerates the process through which new directors gain acceptance within the professional community, bringing their unique skills and vision into the working life of the American theatre.
To meet the needs of young directors entering the profession today, the Directors Project now offers five different application programs –
the New York Fall Directing Program,
the New Directors/New Works Program,
the Musical Theatre Directing Program,
the Classical Fellowship for Directors of Color.
The Drama League Directors Project also maintains an active support network for its alumni. Most recently, it has expanded into international programming. The US-Bulgarian Directors Exchange that fosters artistic exchanges between industry professionals, Drama League Directors, and the many exciting theater companies in Bulgaria. Residencies have been created between our alumni and the Sfumato and the Nikolay Binev Youth Theatre companies.
Click below for more information on each program:
The Hangar Summer Residency Program • The New York Fall Directing Program
The Musical Theatre Directing Program • New Directors/New Works
The Classical Fellowship for Directors of Color
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“Simply put, if it wasn’t for the Directors Project, I wouldn’t be directing theatre in New York today. ”
~John Rando, Fall Directing Program 1992
Tony Award-winning director of Urinetown
“The Drama League’s commitment to young directors is unparalleled. The degree of support and respect they give you is astonishing. The opened the door to my professional career and continue to be there for advice, encouragement, and an invaluable sense of community.”
~ Diane Paulus, Fall Directing Program 1997
Director of the Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR
Artistic Director, American Repertory Theater
“What is unique about the Directors Project is the observing, the meet-and-greeting that goes on, and these young directors are actually given a show to direct. The Directors Project addresses the American theatre’s biggest need: talented,
intelligent, versatile directors who work all the time.”
~ Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, Lincoln Center
