SDCF's 2011 Mike Ockrent Fellowship Goes to Alex Lippard

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) has named Alex Lippard as the recipient of its 2011 Mike Ockrent Fellowship.

This Fellowship opportunity enabled Mr. Lippard to observe and assist director Jeff Calhoun helm the Broadway production of BONNIE AND CLYDE, which began previews at the Schoenfeld Theatre on November 4. More than 50 early-career directors applied for this Fellowship. Finalists for this Fellowship were selected by a peer committee, and Mr. Lippard was chosen by Mr. Calhoun from among the finalists.

The Mike Ockrent Fellowship was established to help promising theatre artists develop their skills by allowing them to observe a master director on the creation of a major production. In doing so, the Fellowship presents a new generation of gifted artists with a remarkable education in - and unique understanding of - the directorial skills necessary to create theatre on a Broadway. The Fellow receives a stipend of $5,000.00.

About the Fellowship, Mr. Lippard states, "I am honored to have received this Fellowship with Jeff Calhoun, whose work I've admired for a long time. The collaborative spirit Jeff brings to the rehearsal room has been inspiring."

Alex Lippard's recent directing credits include the Off-Broadway premieres of THE LAST WORD starring Daniel J. Travanti, and SAKE WITH HAIKU GEISHA featuring Angela Lin (Chinglish) at Perry St. Theater. He has directed musicals DOGMUSIC at AMAS Musicals, HAPPY END at Columbia MFA Theater, and GYPSY at Yale. His production of HECUBA starring legendary voice and speech teacher Kristin Linklater was described by the Village Voice as a "disturbingly resonant play." For more information, please visit www.alexlippard.com.

Founded in 1965, SDCF exists to foster, promote and develop the creativity and craft of stage directors and choreographers. SDCF's goals are to provide opportunities to practice the crafts of directing and choreography; to gather and disseminate craft and career information; to promote the profession to emerging talent; to provide opportunities for exchange of knowledge among directors and choreographers; to increase the awareness of the value of directors' and choreographers' work, and to convene around issues affecting theatre artists.

For further information on the fellowship and SDCF's programs, go to www.sdcweb.org.