Masters of the Stage

On August 25, 2014, director Jeremy Cohen moderated a conversation with panelists and fellow directors Leigh Silverman and Joel Sass at the Guthrie Theater. With the over-arching goal of ‘having a transparent and honest discussion’ as their guide, the panelists share anecdotes and experiences from their careers. The conversation spans topics ranging from how directors get ‘pigeon-holed’ into certain categories, the pros and cons of starting a company, the unique nature of directing in the Twin Cities, and the distinct struggles faced by female directors. Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from this conversation is an understanding of what a year in the life of each of these masters directors looks like—from how they make ends meet to how they approach new projects. Listen in to gain perspective on their careers, their plans for the future and their advice for emerging directors.