A History Of Stories Celebration Directors Talent  Audiences Storytellers Diversity Inclusion

The Drama League Archive

Our History

Since 1916, the Drama League has stood as the champion of American theater, nurturing the creative voices that shape our culture and society. Our commitment has not only carved a space, but also cultivated an audience for the most pivotal and resonant stories of each era. Our story is an homage to those who have contributed to our legacy and an inspiration for future generations of theater creators and enthusiasts. 

Program Archive

International Directors Summit (2024)

THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORS SUMMIT invited Directors from Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria to meet with Drama League directors & staff in NYC for a week. During this time, artists connected and shared insight on the most pressing issues facing the world of theater today, as well as the vitality of the arts in times of crisis. The week concluded with a mixer at the Bulgarian Emabassy with Drama League Board Members, Staff and Visiting Directors. 

Drama League Films and Futures (2024)

DRAMA LEAGUE: FILMS AND FUTURES (DLFF) celebrates the work of the alumni of The Drama League Directors Project, the preeminent career development program for stage directors. Many of these artists also direct film and television, bringing a singular storytelling expertise to the medium. The evening will begin with a welcome from the Emmy-nominated writer, director, and producer Tony Phelan (“A Small Light”, “Fire Country”, “Grey’s Anatomy”), with films, series, and video works by NJ AgwunaDesdemona ChiangMike DonahueJustin EmekaKemar JewelTony Phelan, and Em Weinstein.

Director Fest (2022)

DIRECTORFEST 2022 spotlighted Drama League Stage Directing Fellows such as Keenan Tyler Oliphant, Sivan Battat, Reena Dutt, Ryan Dobrin, and Lanise Antione Shelley. These remarkable artists each directed a compelling theatrical production. Additionally, the event featured a meaningful conversation with Tony Phelan, offering insights into the art and craft of directing for television and stage, enriching the festival’s offerings and providing invaluable learning opportunities for attendees and participants alike.

Drama League Gala Archive...

How to Dance in Ohio

Rebekah Greer Melocik & Jacob Yandura

Porgy and Bess

Featuring Norm Lewis

Shucked

Featuring: Andrew Durand

Water for Elephants

Featuring Pig Pen Theater Co.

Here Lies Love

Featuring Arielle

Real Women Have Curves

Joy Huerta & Ben Velez

Annaleigh Ashford

Performing: Hand in my Pocket

Fiddler On the Roof

 Featuring Danny Burstein & Jessica Hecht

Performances and Presentations From....

Bliss

Performed by Kayla Davion, Katy Geraghty, Gizel Jiménez, and Claire Neumann

Little Shop of Horrors

Performed by Lena Hall

KPOP

Performed by Helen Park

The Piano Lesson

A sneak peek from April Matthis

A Man of No Importance

Performed by Shereen Ahmed

Back to the Future

Performed by Lena Hall

Death of a Salesman

A sneak peek from Wendell Pierce

The Karate Kid

Performed by Alan H. Green with Kelly Thomas on Piano and

Ben Butler on Guitar

The Drama League 2019 Gala honored the achievements of Sutton Foster. Additionally Herb Engert was presented with the Arts Ally Award. 

100 Years of Achievement

  •  9 Tony Awards for Best Director
  • 24 Tony Nominations
  • 20 Obie Awards
  • 9 Drama Desk Winners
  • 3 Emmy Award Winners
  • 450+ Alumni Directors since 1982
  • 1100+ productions each year on six continents
  • 100+ Alumni in Artistic Leadership positions
  •  30% of 2022 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows directed by Alumni
  • 33 television series created/directed by Alumni
  • 12 Alumni-directed Hollywood feature films