TA(L)KING DIRECTION

In Conversation with John Doyle

Recorded on Tuesday, September 21, 2021
As theatres are reopening and shows are beginning across stages on and Off-Broadway, we take a closer look at whose stories are being told and how. In this episode, The Drama League’s Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks and Associate Artistic Director Nilan talk with John Doyle, Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company. They discuss how "classics" have traditionally been defined in the theater, what it’s like to revisit classic work today, the importance of embracing change in how we understand and identify classic theatrical work, and what's next for John after he steps down from CSC at the end of this season.
Editing Services: Catalin Media, @catalinmedia

In Conversation with Zhailon Levingston

Artists and audiences are coming back together again as live performances, including the reopening of Broadway, are returning. In this episode, The Drama League’s Associate Artistic Director Nilan, speaks to Zhailon Levingston, who is making history as the youngest Black director with his debut on Broadway directing Douglas Lyons’ Chicken and Biscuits. Nilan and Zhailon speak about the return of theatre, what it means for artists that seven Black productions are leading the reemergence of Broadway, and how directing and advocacy intersect.
 
Editing Services: Catalin Media, @catalinmedia

In Conversation: Cristina Angeles and Taylor Haven Holt

Recorded on May 18, 2021
DirectorFest 2021 is right around the corner, and to celebrate we're highlighting the directors that are bringing the virtual festival to life. The Drama League's New York Directing Fellowship lives at the heart of the organization's mission by providing industry-focused development and creative skill-building for emerging directors, with the annual director-focused festival serving as a culmination to the program. In this week's episode, The Drama League's Associate Artistic Director Nilan joins two of the current New York Fellows, Cristina Angeles (Unfuckwithable) and Taylor Haven Holt (A Girl's Bedroom), in discussion about their journey as directors up to now and the road ahead for the American theater. To learn more and RSVP to DirectorFest, visit directorfest.org. 
For more information about Cristina Angeles visit: http://www.cristinaangeles.com/
For more information about Taylor Haven Holt visit: http://www.taylorhavenholt.com/
Help support The Drama League: http://bit.ly/DLdonations
Editing Services @catalinmedia

In Conversation: Signe V. Harriday and Cait Robinson

Recorded on May 17, 2021
DirectorFest 2021 is right around the corner, and to celebrate we're highlighting the directors that are bringing the virtual festival to life. The Drama League's New York Directing Fellowship lives at the heart of the organization's mission by providing industry-focused development and creative skill-building for emerging directors, with the annual director-focused festival serving as a culmination to the program. In this week's episode, The Drama League's Associate Artistic Director Nilan joins two of the current New York Fellows, Cait Robinson (The K of D) and Signe V. Harriday (the bull-jean stories.), in discussion about their journey as directors up to now and the road ahead for the American theater. To learn more and RSVP to DirectorFest, visit directorfest.org.  
For more information about DirectorFest visit: https://directorfest.org/
RVSP for DirectorFest here: https://28476a.blackbaudhosting.com/28476a/DirectorFest-2021
For more information about Cait Robinson visit: https://www.cait-robinson.com/
For more information about Signe V. Harriday visit: https://www.signeharriday.com/
Help support The Drama League: http://bit.ly/DLdonations
Editing Services @catalinmedia
 

In Conversation with Ari Edelson

Recorded on May 3, 2021
Aside from being an internationally renowned producer and director, helming award-winning productions of Blood Wedding in Japan and The Attic locally in New York, Ari Edelson is one of the most influential arts accelerators in the industry. As Artistic Director of Orchard Project and co-founder of Culture Craver, he has spent his career amplifying other artists and transforming the way people connect with and discover culture. In this episode of the podcast, Edelson joins The Drama League’s Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks in a conversation about The Orchard Project’s bold vision and a new path ahead in the international theater scene.
For more information about The Orchard Project and Air Edelson visit: https://secure.orchardproject.com/content/about-us 
Help support The Drama League: http://bit.ly/DLdonations
Editing Services @catalinmedia

In Conversation with Stafford Arima

Recorded on March 31, 2021
For over 25 years, audiences around the world have found joy in the trailblazing work of Stafford Arima. Nominated for an Olivier Award for his direction of the West End premiere of Ragtime, Arima has spent his career elevating the theater scene across the pod and across North America. In 2015, he made history when he became the first Asian-Canadian artist to direct a musical on Broadway, Allegiance starring Lea Salonga and George Takei, but his legacy also includes work with the Stratford Festival, Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed Musicals, The Old Globe, and Theatre Calgary, where he currently serves as the Artistic Director. In this episode, The Drama League’s Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks connects with Arima  about his introduction into the world of directing and the role artistic leaders play in creating a dialogue with the community.  
For more information about Stafford Arima visit: http://staffordarima.com/index.html 
Help support The Drama League: http://bit.ly/DLdonations
Editing Services @catalinmedia
 

HowWeWorkNow: Beyond Our Shores: Theater in Bulgaria

Recorded on February 28, 2021
The Drama League’s commitment to directors spans across the globe, and in this week’s episode, we’re taking listeners to Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city, to connect with two of the region’s most revered theater practitioners. Kalina Wagenstein is the director of Art Office Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and circulate the performing arts and artists of Bulgaria at home and abroad. Additionally, she has led the Sofia brand of the Swiss Culture program, supported 400+ projects in culture and arts, and has held positions at the Bulgarian News Agency, The National Film Center, and the National Film Archive. Joining her is Dr. Petar Kaukov, Ph.D., the Associate Professor at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia, and the former Deputy Director and CEO of Youth Theatre “Nikolay Binev,” one of the largest theaters in all of Bulgaria. A noted director across Europe, he has worked on many international exchange projects including the Icarus award-winning Bulgarian premiere of Avenue Q. In conversation with The Drama League’s Gabriel Stelian-Shanks and Nilan, the artists dissect the structural differences in the American and Bulgarian arts scene while forecasting the future of international exchange in theater.
The Drama League gratefully recognizes The Trust for Mutual Understanding for making this conversation possible with their generous support for the International Stage Directors Exchange.
 
For more information about TMU: http://www.tmuny.org/
 
Help support The Drama League: http://bit.ly/DLdonations
Editing Services @catalinmedia

In Conversation with Natasha Sinha

Recorded on March 15, 2021
Dramaturgs have long played a critical role in developing and examining new works of theater, but the job is often difficult to describe to those unfamiliar with the show development process. Natasha Sinha, producer, dramaturg, and now Playwrights Horizons' Associate Artistic Director, is no stranger to the process, having played an integral role in developing new works by Michael R. Jackson, Grace McLean, Shakina Nayfack, Danny Pudi, Heather Raffo, and many more. In this episode, Sinha joins The Drama League’s Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks to examine the role of the dramaturg in our ever-changing art form while discussing initiatives to improve the livelihoods of arts workers across the globe.
For more information about Natasha Sinha & Beehive Dramaturgy Studio visit: http://www.beehivedramaturgy.com/natashasinha
 
If you're a director needing assistance, visit our COVID-19 resources and emergency relief programs here: dramaleague.org/covidresources/covid19resources 
 
Help support The Drama League: http://bit.ly/DLdonations
Editing Services @catalinmedia
 
 
 

HowWeWorkNow: Beyond Our Shores: Theater in Romania

Recorded on February 21, 2021
The Drama League’s commitment to directors spans across the globe, and in this week’s episode, we’re taking listeners to Romania to explore the country’s cultural state of affairs with two of Eastern Europe's greatest visionaries. Maia Morgenstern has been called ‘The Meryl Streep of Romania,’ familiar to audiences around the world from her acclaimed role as Virgin Mary in “The Passion of the Christ” film in addition to her European Film Award-winning role as Nelan in “Balanta.” Morgenstern is currently the Artistic Director of the National Jewish Theater of Romania, the oldest continuously operating Yiddish-language theater in the world. Joining her is Letita Vladescu, an actress who has starred at the Bucharest National Theatre of Operetta and Music with credits including the recent smash comedy film “Miami Bici,” television series “Vlad,” and a highly acclaimed solo show Thy Sonia, written and directed by Lia Bugnar. In conversation with The Drama League’s Gabriel Stelian-Shanks and Nilan, the artists discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the Romanian film and theater industry and look ahead to a promising future of cross-cultural exchange.
The Drama League gratefully recognizes The Trust for Mutual Understanding for making this conversation possible with their generous support for the International Stage Directors Exchange.
 
For more information about TMU: http://www.tmuny.org/
 
If you're a director needing assistance, visit our COVID-19 resources and emergency relief programs here: dramaleague.org/covidresources/covid19resources 
Help support The Drama League: http://bit.ly/DLdonations
Editing Services @catalinmedia

In Conversation with Kamilah Forbes

Recorded on March 15, 2021
A multi-hyphenate artist in every sense, Kamilah Forbes has spent her career on the inside of New York’s greatest institutions and directing on stages alongside legends like Kenny Leon and Lynn Nottage. As an award-winning producer of theater and television with credits like NBC’s The Wiz Live, and Broadway’s A Raisin In The Sun, The Mountaintop, and Stick Fly, and as The Apollo Theater’s current Executive Producer, Forbes has forged several paths across genres and carries a commitment to creating works for, by, and about the Hip Hop generation. In this week’s episode, Forbes joins The Drama League’s Associate Artistic Director Nilan in conversation about what goes into the work she creates with an offering for a future generation of art makers.
For more information about Kamilah Forbes and the Apollo Theatre visit: https://www.apollotheater.org/about/leadership/ 
If you're a director needing assistance, visit our COVID-19 resources and emergency relief programs here: dramaleague.org/covidresources/covid19resources 
Help support The Drama League: http://bit.ly/DLdonations
Editing Services @catalinmedia