FutureNow Stage Directing Fellowships
A Partnership with Chautauqua Theater Company and TheaterWorksUSA
Applications Open Fall 2025
The FutureNow Stage Directing Fellowships are sometimes as a ‘gymnasium for rising directors,’ given the volume of experience packed into its framework. Recipients direct multiple projects, assist on productions, and and more. A compressed schedule invites rapid growth and development, under seasoned mentors.
In this Fellowship, recipients attend the career accelerator intensive known as Professionals Week, before traveling to the acclaimed Chautauqua Theater Company, where they serve as Directors In Residence for the summer season. While there, they will serve as assistant directors for the mainstage productions, direct their own one-act play for the company, lead processes for a late night series, and contribute to the life of the company by learning internal processes within the administrative departments. Later in the year, the recipients move to Theaterworks USA, the largest producer of works for young audiences in the United States, to direct a remount production that will then tour nationally.
NOTE: All programs of The Drama League Directors Project have eligibility requirements. Please read our F.A.Q. page for full details before applying.
Program Partner: Chautauqua Theater Company
In beutiful upstate New York, Chautauqua Theater Company produces high-quality live theater in a vibrant nine-week summer season. The company is committed to the development of new work and the next generation of theater artists. They produce galvanizing world premieres, exceptional contemporary plays, and infuse fresh insight into the classical canon. CTC is a national home for exciting new plays: commissioning, developing and producing new and established American playwrights.
Program Partner: TheaterWorksUSA
Since 1967, TheaterWorksUSA has created transformative theatrical experiences for youth and family audiences that tour to venues across the country for school-time and public performances. For six decades, TWUSA has captured the imaginations of 100 million theatergoers with its award-winning repertoire of over 140 original productions. Through this work, TWUSA fosters a deep appreciation for the art form, giving all generations theater, joy and understanding.
Details
Program Duration
- Professionals Week: Mid-May (1 week, in-person)
- CTC: June-August (11 weeks, in person)
- TWUSA: TBD (2-3 weeks between September and March, in person)
Program Frequency
Offered every year. Number of Fellowships vary.
Scholarship Prize
$10,000, plus additional Directors Fee for TWUSA National Tour Remount (TBD annually)
Health Insurance Reimbursement
Up to $1000
Travel Coverage
- Professionals Week: Travel to/from New York City is provided from a U.S. Continental city, if the Recipient lives more than 25 miles from New York City. Baggage fees, airport transfers, and in-city transportation are not provided.
- CTC: Travel to/from Chautauqua, NY is provided from a U.S. Continental city, if the Recipient lives more than 25 miles from Chautauqua. Airport transfers and in-city transportation will be provided in Chautauqua. Baggage fees, airport transfers, and in-city transportation are not provided.
- TWUSA: Travel to/from city of production origin for rehearsal period is provided from a U.S. Continental city, if the Recipient lives more than 25 miles from the city of production origin. Baggage fees, airport transfers, and in-city transportation are not provided.
- NOTE: All travel for the FutureNow Fellowship is provided by The Drama League, who will coordinate bookings with the Recipients.
Housing Coverage
- Professionals Week: Housing provided for directors living more than 25 miles outside of New York City metropolitan area.
- CTC: Housing will be provided by Chautauqua Theater Company.
- TWUSA: Housing is not provided for this period, and will be the responsibility of the Recipient.
Liability and Insurances
Recipient will not be an employee of TDL or its partners, instead a recipient of an educational program and will be considered as such under insurance policies.
Other Benefits
VIP Pass to all publicly offered Drama League programming during the Fellowship period; access to alumni-focused programs and events; and a lifetime Drama League Membership.
Mid-May (approximately 1 week, full-time, in person)
DRAMA LEAGUE DIRECTORS PROJECT WEEK*
The Drama League Fellowships begin with an intensive orientation in New York City of workshops, learning opportunities, and private meetings with prominent artistic leaders, producers, directors and other professionals.
June-August (11 weeks total, in person)
CHAUTAUQUA THEATER COMPANY ENGAGEMENT
Recipients travel to Chautauqua Theater Company to serve as a member of the artistic team for their summer season. Recipients will serve as Assistant Directors on CTC’s mainstage seasons, and be a part of the artistic teams on CTC’s New Play Development Workshops and other programming. Recipients will also direct a small piece with the CTC Conservatory Acting Company, with consultation and approval of the CTC Artistic Director. Fellows will also have areas of interest in production, dramaturgy, and new play development, and will curate and execute audience engagement activities.
TBD September-March (approximately 2-3 weeks, full-time, in person)
THEATERWORKSUSA ENGAGEMENT
After auditions (which can be attended virtually), the Fellows are offered a contract, consistent with what has been negotiated in the applicable Collectively Bargained Agreement (CBA) with SDC, to direct a remount of a TheaterWorksUSA repertory musical production for TYA audiences that will then tour nationally. Following a 14-17 day rehearsal process, the production will begin its tour. Pre-production planning and mentorship will be provided by the artistic leadership of TheaterWorksUSA.
About The FutureNow Fellowships
Originally founded as the Hangar Fellowship in 1989, The FutureNow Directing Fellowships have provided early opportunities to many of America's most exciting directors, including Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown), Lear deBessonet (Once Upon A Mattress), Sam Gold (Romeo and Juliet), and Michael Mayer (A Beautiful Noise), Pictured are alumni Nicolas Polonio, Cara Hinh, Jasmine B. Gunter, and Christian Avila.
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About the Drama League
The Drama League is the preeminent creative development home for directors, offering access and opportunity to them, their collaborators, and the audiences they inspire across the world in theater, film, television, online content, and anywhere live performance is found. Launched in 1916, The Drama League is one of the longest continuously-operating arts service organizations in the United States. To be a part of supporting future generations of artists, please visit dramaleague.org/membership.