TA(L)KING DIRECTION

TA(L)KING DIRECTION - Season Two Teaser

Places, places everyone! Our digital series is back with a new name and new perspectives. In season 2 of TA(L)KING DIRECTION, we're going deep into the heart of theater-making as the industry poises to return to live performances this year. Don't miss our season premiere on January 13 featuring an ensemble of the American theater's most fearless stage directors tackling the most pressing issues of our time.
 
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
 

HowWeWorkNow: The Drama League Staff Discusses 2020, How We Return, and Looks to the Future

Recorded on October 22, 2020
 
"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." - William Shakespeare
 
Some of the staff of The Drama League gather to look back at this unprecedented year and grapple with how they've been building and dreaming of a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and mission-forwarding organization for the directors and audience we serve. 
 
HOWWEWORKNOW, The Drama League’s acclaimed series of discussions that shape, distill, and share best practices about how the industry and craft of directing allies with active change on the ground. The artists in this video have donated their time and fees to help provide much-needed aid, relief, and programs for stage directors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  
 
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
 
Learn more about Gabriel Stelian-Shanks: http://gabrielstelianshanks.com/
 
Learn more about Bevin Ross: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevin-ross/
 
Learn more about Nilan: https://www.nilan.me/
 
Learn more about Ali Skye Bennet: http://www.aliskyebennet.com/
 
Learn more about Patrick Anthony Surillo: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.surillo
 
Learn more about Emily Lyon:  https://www.emilyalyon.com/
 
Editing services donated by:catalinmedia.com/  
 

#Collaboration: Laura Savia and Shakina Nayfack

September 13, 2020
 
Right off the heels of recording their play for Audible. Chonburi International Hotel & Butterfly Club's Laura Savia (Director & Associate Artistic Director of Williamstown Theatre Festival) and Shakina Nayfack (Actress/Playwright) come together to discuss what it takes to turn a stage play into a radio play, how to empower voices beyond their own in the room, and how to lead a team during a pandemic. 
 
Chonburi International Hotel & Butterfly Club by Shakina Nayfack, presented by Williamstown Theatre Festival and Audible will be released on Audible on December 29, 2020.
 
#COLLABORATION, The Drama League's new series of conversations that provide a window into the partnership process between a director and a playwright, designer, producer, or actor. In each episode, artists will discuss their journey together on a project and their relationship as collaborators. The process of creating art is revealed in these intimate, surprising, and wide-ranging conversations with award-winning collaborators from around the world.  
 
The artists in this video have donated their time and fees to help provide much-needed aid, relief, and programs for stage directors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help! Donate here: http://bit.ly/DLdonations
 
Learn more about Williamtown Theatre Festival's Audible production of Chonburi International Hotel & Butterfly Club: https://wtfestival.org/main-events/chonburi-international-hotel-butterfly-club/
 
Learn more about Laura Savia: https://www.laurasavia.com/
 
Learn more about Shakina Nayfack: http://www.shakina.nyc/bio
 
Editing services donated by:
https://catalinmedia.com/    

In Conversation: International Stage Directors Exchange - Bulgaria

Recorded September 27, 2020
 
We check in with our friends in Bulgaria, a part of our International Stage Directors Exchange, to see how they've been navigating theatre-making during the pandemic. We were intrigued to hear about the new opportunities that are bringing together their state and independent theatre scene.  Gabriel Stelian-Shanks (Artistic Director) and Nilan (Associate Artistic Director) are joined in conversation by Panic Button Theatre's Vasilena Radeva and Nathan Cooper, and Momo Theatre Company's Vessilin Dimov for an insider look into theatre beyond our shores. This conversation is brought to you by the Trust For Mutual Understanding. 
 
IN CONVERSATION, The Drama League's acclaimed series of discussions with the directors changing the face of theater, television, and film, is now online! The process of creating art is revealed in these intimate, surprising, and wide-ranging conversations with award-winning creators from around the world.  
 
The artists in this video have donated their time and fees to help provide much-needed aid, relief, and programs for stage directors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help! Click here to donate.
 
This program is made possible by Trust for Mutual Understanding, learn more: http://www.tmuny.org/ 
 
Learn more about our International Stage Directors Exchange: http://www.dramaleague.org/programs/international-exchanges
 
Learn more about Panic Button Theatre: https://www.facebook.com/panicbuttontheatre/
 
Learn more about Theatre Company Momo: https://www.facebook.com/TheatreCompanyMOMO/
 
Editing services donated by:
https://catalinmedia.com/
 

HowWeWorkNow - Expand The Canon

Recorded on September 29, 2020
What makes a classic timeless and fresh? NOT THE GENDER OF THE PLAYWRIGHT! So why do men dominate the classical canon? Associate Artistic Director, Nilan sits down with the curators and creators of EXPAND THE CANON, a timely producable list of classic plays written by women. Mary Candler, Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director, Emily Lyon, Hedgepig Ensemble Associate Artistic Director, and performer/creator, Shannon Corethin speak to why the field has forgotten women in the classical canon, and how they are implementing change now.
HOWWEWORKNOW, The Drama League’s acclaimed series of discussions that shape, distill, and share best practices about how the industry and craft of directing allies with active change on the ground. The artists in this video have donated their time and fees to help provide much-needed aid, relief, and programs for stage directors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The artists in this video have donated their time and fees to help provide much-needed aid, relief, and programs for stage directors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help! Click here to donate.  
Discover the 9 plays on the list: ExpandTheCanon.com Learn more about the company: HedgepigEnsemble.org 
Learn more about Mary Candler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-candler    Learn more about Shannon Corenthin: https://www.shannoncorenthin.com/ Learn more about Emily Lyon: EmilyALyon.com 
 

In Conversation with David Mendizábal

Recorded on July 28, 2020
 
Visionary director and arts leader David Mendizábal joins Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks to talk about how one builds a career path that fights for social justice and heals along the way. 
 
The artists in this video have donated their time and fees to help provide much-needed aid, relief, and programs for stage directors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help! Donate here: http://bit.ly/DLdonations
 
Learn more about David Mendizábal: http://www.davidmendizabal.com/
 
Learn more about The Movement Theatre Company: https://www.themovementtheatrecompany.org/
 
Learn more about The Sol Project: http://www.solproject.org/
 
Editing services donated by:
https://catalinmedia.com/

In Conversation with Travis Russ

Recorded on September 17, 2020
 
How do you know a story is worth telling? Even if that story scares you? Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks talks with Travis Russ writer, director, and Artistic Diretor of Life Jacket Theatre about how he creates moving dramas using material that some may feel is taboo. 
 
IN CONVERSATION, The Drama League's acclaimed series of discussions with the directors changing the face of theater, television, and film, is now online! The process of creating art is revealed in these intimate, surprising, and wide-ranging conversations with award-winning creators from around the world.
 
The artists in this video have donated their time and fees to help provide much-needed aid, relief, and programs for stage directors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help! Donate here: https://tickets.dramaleague.org/donations
 
Learn more about Life Jacket Theatre: http://www.lifejackettheatre.org/
 
Editing services donated by:
https://catalinmedia.com/

#Collaboration with Carla's Quince

Recorded on August 17, 2020
 
We attended the bilingual immersive quinceañera that is bringing the party and rocking the vote. Estefanía Fadul (director), Galia Backal (Associate Director), Christina Watanabe (Designer), and Camila Pérez Santiago (Carla) lets us in on how they created the most civically engaged birthday party ever that's trying to register Latinx communities across the country.
 
 
#COLLABORATION, The Drama League's new series of conversations that provide a window into the partnership process between a director and a playwright, designer, producer, or actor. In each episode, artists will discuss their journey together on a project and their relationship as collaborators. The process of creating art is revealed in these intimate, surprising, and wide-ranging conversations with award-winning collaborators from around the world.  
 
The artists in this video have donated their time and fees to help provide much-needed aid, relief, and programs for stage directors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can help! Donate here: https://tickets.dramaleague.org/donations
If you're a director needing assistance, visit our COVID-19 resources and emergency relief programs here: dramaleague.org/covidresources/covid19resources
Register to Vote here: https://vote.gov/
 
Learn more about Estefanía Fadul: https://www.estefaniafadul.com/
 
Learn more about Galia Backal: https://www.galiabackal.com/
 
Learn more about Christina Watanabe: http://www.starryeyedlighting.com/
 
Learn more about Camila Pérez Santiago: https://www.backstage.com/u/camilaperezsantiago/
Editing services donated by:
https://catalinmedia.com/    

#Collaboration - Packing and Cracking

Recorded on September 11, 2020
 
Do you remember your high school civics class? How about this one, what is gerrymandering? Or Mary Flanagan's critical play theory? Associate Artistic Director Nilan, sat down with two art activists who have created a show, Packing and Cracking, that gives its audience a joyfully hilarious educational lesson about gerrymandering and red-lining. Rachel Gita Karp (Director/Creator) and Joesph Amodei (Designer/Creator) lead us through their journey and work to make America civically educated again. 
 
IN CONVERSATION, The Drama League's acclaimed series of discussions with the directors changing the face of theater, television, and film, is now online! The process of creating art is revealed in these intimate, surprising, and wide-ranging conversations with award-winning creators from around the world.
 
The artists in this video have donated their time and fees to help provide much-needed aid, relief, and programs for stage directors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help! Donate here:
dramaleague.org/ghostlight
Learn more about the show: https://www.packingandcracking.com/
Learn more about Rachel Gita Karp: https://www.rachelkarp.com/
Learn more about Joseph Amodei: https://www.jamodei.com/
Buy a ticket Packing and Cracking at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival: https://fringearts.com/event/packing-and-cracking/
 

HowWeWorkNow: KING LEAR at San Francisco Shakespeare Festival

Recorded on August 5, 2020
 
Keeping artists working. Keeping artists creating. Keeping artists serving their communities. Are deep concerns for theatre companies across the nation. San Francisco Shakespeare Festival embraced these challenges with curiosity, fearlessness, and innovation. Associate Artistic Director Nilan sits down with Elizabeth Carter (Director), Rebecca J. Ennals (Artistic Director), Karen Schleifer (Stage Manager), and Neal Ormond (Technical Director) to discuss how they got AEA to agree to a live digital theatre contract? Rehearsed in a completely socially distant manner? And crafted an unprecedented production of KING LEAR, creating one of the most riveting "LIVE" experiences over the internet. 
 
HOWWEWORKNOW, The Drama League’s acclaimed series of discussions that shape, distill, and share best practices about how the industry and craft of directing allies with active change on the ground. The artists in this video have donated their time and fees to help provide much-needed aid, relief, and programs for stage directors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you're a director needing assistance, visit our COVID-19 resources and emergency relief programs here:dramaleague.org/covidresources/covid19resources
San Francisco Shake Speare Festival: www.sfshakes.org/
King Lear (Now Running): www.youtube.com/user/SFShakes/featured
Elizabeth Carter: www.elizabethcarterarts.com/
Editing services donated by:catalinmedia.com/