SDCF Podcast Series

Mary Overlie and Moisés Kaufman: On May 19th, 1999, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation hosted a One-on-One Conversation with Moisés Kaufman, playwright, director and founder of Tectonic Theater Project, and Mary Overlie, the discoverer of Viewpoints. The two artists discuss the meaning behind theatrical theory and how that relates to their work. Kaufman describes his process in developing The Laramie Project as an exploration of relating theatre to recent current events. He and his company inquire as to the difference between plays about historical events versus plays about current events. Overlie joins the conversation by talking about her roots in classical dance and how that shaped her openness to improvisation. With inspirations including Merce Cunningham and John Cage, Overlie articulates the inception of Viewpoints. Viewpoints is an improvisational system, using elements of Space, Time, Shape, Emotion, Movement and Story. Inspired by her own artistic clash between classicism and post-modern dance, Overlie developed a new way to understand the creation of theatre by combining these forms and understanding the elements involved. As a student of Overlie, Kaufman describes his first memory of seeing her dance at The Kitchen and speaks about how he creates his work. This is an insightful conversation between two artists who thrive on exploration and breaking into new forms within a theatrical setting. Originally recorded - May 19, 1999. Running Time - 1:33:43 © 1999 SDCF

Staging Revivals: Marcia Milgrom Dodge and Chet Walker: At the SDCF 2013 Emerging Artist Symposium on Musicals on May 20, 2013, internationally-acclaimed director/choreographers Chet Walker and Marcia Milgrom Dodge shared their expertise of applying a fresh perspective to the revival of a musical subsequent to an iconic production. They share their personal artistic processes, the questions they ask of a piece, and their thoughts on casting actors' familiar with prior productions. This candid and humorous conversation, with personal anecdotes from past productions led by Bob Fosse and others, offers an enlightening glimpse into the world of revivals. Listen as these deeply knowledgeable artists proffer advice on interpreting a classic piece of musical theatre as if it were a new work, using innovative research techniques, and breaking popular character preconceptions when casting a revival. Originally recorded - May 20, 2013. Running Time - 1:08:44 © 2013 SDCF

At its 2013 Emerging Artist Symposium on Musicals, Robyn Goodman, Commercial Producer and Founder of Second Stage Theatre, spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi about discovering talent and developing new work in today's dynamic theatre climate. Goodman (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, Avenue Q, In the Heights, Altar Boyz) infuses her perspective as an actor turned producer with a well-rounded view of a production from page to stage and everything in between. Listen to her as she discusses her transition from the art of theatre to the business of theatre, gives advice for producing within both non-for-profit and for-profit organizations, and how she finds her collaborators. The conversation includes valuable insights on keeping up with trending audience interest and younger sensibilities, procuring a strong design team, giving a memorable meeting, and recognizing commercial viability in specific material. Originally recorded - June 1, 2013. Running Time - 1:10:06 © 2013 SDCF

On June 12, 2013, award-winning directors Pam MacKinnon and Kathleen Marshall spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi about their work and career. 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. Both speak to theatre as an apprentice art and the significance of mentor relationships when transitioning to different phases of career. Listen as they unveil where to find worthwhile material to direct and how one man's dramatic trash can be another's theatrical gold. These directors discuss the impact of geography on a production and the trust they place in their actors when shaping a piece. This candid conversation offers practical knowledge about creating career inroads, aligning collaborators and continuously developing craft. Originally recorded - June 12, 2013. Running Time - 1:37:25 © 2013 SDCF

Fight Direction: On April 8, 2013, Fight Directors Erica Gould and Rick Sordelet spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi to discuss the responsibilities and roles of theatre's fight directors. Listen in as Rick and Erica share their approaches to working with a director, to assessing actors' skills and potential for fight direction, and to creating a variety of fights for the course of one play to avoid "battle fatigue" in the audience. They share their experiences of working with particular directors and actors on specific productions and on how that artist's preparation and communication elevated the resulting production. By hearing their thoughts on building character through weapon choice and fight style and on the importance of early communication and collaboration with the creative team the listener will gain a better understanding of the role of the fight director and the support a master fight director provides in storytelling on stage. Originally recorded - April 8, 2013. Running Time - 1:31:53 © 2013 SDCF

Running Regional Theatres: On January 7, 1987, Artistic Directors Nagle Jackson (of Hartford Stage) and Mark Lamos (of McCarter Theatre) sat down with director Mary Robinson to speak about leadership in regional theatre. Jackson and Lamos discuss the challenges they face throughout their day-to-day routines and the struggle to balance the administrative and artistic aspects of the job. These artistic directors offer insight into the politics of and logistics behind choosing a season and the effective means to attract new audiences while continuing to appeal to current subscribers. For both Jackson and Lamos, risk and experimentation are paramount to feeling artistically fulfilled. They find that the younger generation does not respond to the tradition of season subscriptions, and both strive to alter the expectations of their audiences and spontaneous single-ticket buyers. At the end of the night it is about that communal catharsis -- and that is why audiences go to the theatre. This practical conversation is an intimate peak at the life of the artistic leaders behind Hartford Stage and McCarter Theatre's success and growth over the years. The listener will gain a richer understanding of what it is like to maintain and nourish experimentation within the administrative and artistic departments of regional theatres. Originally recorded - January 7, 1987. Running Time - 1:22:36 © 1987 SDCF

On Tuesday, December 4, 2012, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society hosted a panel on women directors and choreographers in Chicago with Rachel Rockwell, Joanie Schultz, Kimberly Senior, and Leigh Silverman. This informal town-hall discussion explores the positive and negative experiences women may encounter while pursuing a career as a director or choreographer. The conversation includes deliberation on the unique challenges and opportunities facing women directors and choreographers in Chicago and across the country. Together, the panel and the audience strive to answer the question, "How can all of us, our collaborators, theatres, service organizations, etc., support growth/continuance of women as directors and choreographers?" Originally recorded - December 4, 2012. Running Time - 1:20:21 © 2012 SDCF

Playwright/Director 1987: In 1987, SDCF and the Dramatists Guild jointly held a panel discussion exploring the symbiotic and complex relationship between playwright and director. Peter Stone moderates a panel of playwrights and directors including Sam Bobrick, Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, David Henry Hwang, Bernet Kellman, Tom Moore, David Rosenak, Gene Saks, and Stephen Tobolowsky. The consensus from this riveting 90-minute discussion is that the playwright/director relationship and the process of collaborating are like a marriage, and the conversation explodes into impassioned debate about what can make a great artistic marriage. If you have ever wondered what a playwright wants from a director or vice versa, listen in as the playwrights and directors reveal their feelings. Let the marriage counseling begin! Originally recorded - January 1, 1987. Running Time - 1:29:26 © 1987 SDCF