The Drama League Announces 2018 Fellowship Recipients

The Drama League (Executive Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks) has announced the eleven exceptional stage directors who have been selected as the 2018 Directing Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project: Jake Beckhard, Jennifer Chang, Tara Elliott, Kyle Haden, Myeongsik Jason Jang, Kemar Jewel, Seonjae Kim, Margaret Lee, Dennis Yueh-Yeh Li, Ivey Lowe, and Christopher Nùñez. They will be publicly introduced to the professional theatre community during the 84th Annual Drama League Awards, which will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway). More information can be found at www.dramaleague.org.

The eleven Fellowship recipients, who will spend the next year as part of the award-winning program, have been accepted into four different programs of study: the New York Directing Fellowships, the Hangar Directing Fellowships (a partnership with the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY), the Classical Fellowship for Directors of Color (a partnership with The Old Globe of San Diego, CA; the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival of Garrison, NY; and Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA); and the Leo Shull New Musicals Directing Fellowship. These exceptional early-career directors will begin with Drama League Professionals Week, where they will meet industry veterans, attend Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, and start their developmental training.

"This year, we've truly scoured the world for the most exciting directing talents we can find," noted Mr. Stelian-Shanks, "which has brought us inspiring directors from New York, San Diego, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, even Seoul, South Korea. These 2018 Fellows will join the ranks of alumni including Tony Winners Diane Paulus (In The Body of the World), Rebecca Taichman (Indecent), Michael Mayer (Head Over Heels), Christopher Ashley (Come From Away), Sam Gold (Fun Home), Pam MacKinnon (The Parisian Woman), John Rando (Jerry Springer: The Opera), as well as Lila Neugebauer (The Wolves), Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812), Moritz von Steulpnagel (Present Laughter), May Adrales (Vietgone), Anne Kauffman (Mary Jane), Lear deBessonet (Venus), and more.

Since its founding in 1984, The Drama League Directors Project has become the preeminent development program for theatre directors - providing talented young artists with career-changing experiences in the professional theatre. Its 300-plus alumni can be found working in all aspects of the entertainment profession: at the helm of productions on Broadway and Off-Broadway, at regional theatres companies, in film and television, and as artistic directors and associate directors at 55 regional theatres across the country. Many are also producers, writers, agents, administrators, and educators of the next generation of directors, at some of the finest professional training programs. 'Drama League Directors' have been honored with many awards, including the Tony, Emmy, Obie, Drama Desk, and its own Drama League Award, with the praise of critics and audiences alike.

The Drama League Directors Project is the preeminent career development program for theatre directors - providing talented artists with transformative experiences in the professional theatre.

The Drama League of New York, since 1916, has been at the forefront of the American Theatre community, providing talent, audiences, and prosperous support. It is one of the nation's oldest continuously-operating, not-for-profit arts advocacy and education organizations. Through its programs, initiatives and events, The Drama League serves over 3,000 artists and 15,000 audience members each season with over 150 events and programs. For more information about events or membership please call Tom Sime at 212.244.9494 ext 101.

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