Masters of the Stage

Podcasts with America's seminal directors and choreographers

Enjoy rare insights into how theatre is made with this podcast interview series produced by Stage Directors and Choreographers Workshop Foundation (SDCF) and co-presented by TDF. Browse three decades of priceless one-on-one conversations and panel discussions with distinguished theatre and dance luminaries.

Masters of the Stage was made possible with support from Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), the national labor union representing the needs and aspirations of its members, and generous funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York State Legislature, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

19 results found

02/15/2016

Jennifer Tepper & Jerry Mitchell

" On February 15, 2016, Tepper interviewed Jerry Mitchell about the evolution of his wide-spanning career. Best known for Broadway hits like Kinky Boots, Hairspray, and the current production of On Your Feet, Mitchell discusses his journey from dancer, to associate choreographer, to the directing and choreographing hit Broadway shows. Mitchell discusses the lessons he learned as a performer that prepared him to choreograph and how he creates stories through movement, offering inspiration and advice for the next generation of directors and choreographers. "

06/14/2015

Jack OBrien 2014 Symposium Plays

On June 23rd, 2014, Director Jack O’Brien visited the Emerging Artists Plays Symposium and spoke with SDC Members about his career as well as his advice for the next generation. As O’Brien touches on his early days with the APA-Phoenix Repertory Company, his experiences with Porgy and Bess, his time at the Old Globe, and other phases in his career, he shares perspective gained on creating, re-creating, and directing. Perhaps most importantly, O’Brien discusses his directorial priorities—specifically, his insistence on honoring the text above all else, his belief that audience faith is a critical factor in theatrical success, and his determination to treat everyone within the eco-system of a given production kindly and respectfully. Overall, this is an insightful discussion that is sure to fascinate emerging and experienced artists alike.

03/17/2014

Assistant No More

At the June 17th SDCF 2013 Emerging Artist Symposium on Plays, SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi moderated a discussion with directors Shelley Butler, Benjamin Endsley Klein, and Tony Speciale about the transition from assistant to director. Listen as they compare stories and experiences illustrating their unique transitions into directing their own work.

06/12/2013

One on One: Pam MacKinnon and Kathleen Marshall

In a One-on-One Conversation on June 12, 2013, award-winning directors Pam MacKinnon and Kathleen Marshall spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi about building their artistic careers. Listen as they discuss the nuts and bolts of the rehearsal process, from the Illuminating qualities of auditions and early design meetings to the continuous evolution of a piece as gauged by audience, producers, and associates. This candid conversation offers practical knowledge about creating career inroads, aligning collaborators and continuously developing craft.

06/12/2013

TDF Replay: Pam MacKinnon and Kathleen Marshall

04/30/2012

Conversation with Walter Bobbie and Sam Gold

On April 30, 2012, SDCF hosted a One-on-One conversation between Walter Bobbie and Sam Gold moderated by John Clinton Eisner. They discuss their shared background in performance and respective discoveries that they are better suited for directing. Bobbie shares his career trajectory and the strategic choices he made in order to become the artist he wants to be. Gold speaks about building a New York based career and how the turning point in his career came so quickly. Both directors go into great detail about how they find collaborators, how to give notes to a director, and the generous professionals who helped them when they were getting their start. This dynamic conversation is a rare opportunity to peek into the artistic visions of two fantastic contemporary directors. This event was sponsored by A Summer of Theatre and Film at Southampton Arts.

06/01/2011

In conversation with Alex Timbers

Directors rarely get the opportunity to spend time and share ideas in a room with other directors. This new one-on-one conversation series was conceived by director Thomas Kail to give himself, and his peers, an opportunity to do just that. This series of conversations explores topics that stretch from finding the spark in their work, making a life as a director, and how they landed on this side of the table. Each director's vision is distinct, and their way of working is their own, but this series also addresses all they have in common beyond the shared title. In June 2011, Thomas Kail sat in conversation with Alex Timbers at the SDC Offices. Their discussion explores how they followed their respective impulse to start their own theater company, and delves into the challenge of creating new work. They also address their inspirations and those who have influenced them as directors.