On April 24, 1959, Judge Saul Streit, Presiding Justice of the New York Supreme Court, signed the incorporation documents establishing what was then called the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC) as a national independent labor union.
On April 24, 2024, SDC launched a year-long celebration of the 65th anniversary of its founding with “65 for the 65th,” a social media campaign that has been gathered into the book you now hold in your hands. An anniversary is an opportunity: to reflect on where we’ve come from and to imagine where we want to go next, to remember our origin story and commemorate our collective struggles and hard-won triumphs. And to commemorate our 65th anniversary, SDC highlighted 65 directors and choreographers whose work transformed the American theatre.
In the spring of 2024, SDC sent out a survey to the Membership asking, “Who are the SDC Members whose work as a director or choreographer has most inspired the field or your own artistic path?” Seventy Members responded within the first 24 hours. By the time the survey closed, 516 directors and choreographers were nominated. After a long process—during which nominated directors and choreographers were rigorously considered by a cross-section of SDC Members, with seven rounds of voting—the final list was selected.
This was an exhilarating and challenging process; we could have made this list 100 different ways and not come close to capturing the breadth and depth of the talent and inspiring work of our Membership over the past 65 years. In fact, we had so many names we wanted to include that we ended up adding a special “Founder’s Circle” to highlight three people without whom the Union would not exist: Shepard Traube, Agnes de Mille, and Bob Fosse.
The lives and legacies of the directors and choreographers featured in this book are a testament to the strength and influence of our Union community. We are glad to have this opportunity to recognize these artists—our visionary leaders, colleagues, friends—and to introduce them to those who may not yet know their impact. We hope this project will inspire readers to learn more about the remarkable directors and choreographers on this list whose work you may not be familiar with, or to reflect on your personal lists of influential mentors and friends.
Together, we are custodians of our little piece of the timeline of the Union, entrusted with ensuring that SDC endures and moves ever forward. As the American theatre continues to experience existential challenges, the story of SDC’s founding and the achievements of our Membership over the years remind us that, with strength and solidarity, growth and advancement are possible even amidst uncertainty.
We are inspired and heartened by our Membership’s dedication, artistry, and continuing commitment to standing together to protect and empower directors and choreographers throughout the field. Happy 65th Anniversary—here’s to the next 65!
In Solidarity,
Evan Yionoulis
Executive Board President