Saheem Ali is a New York-based theater director focused on new work. Recent credits include Dangerous House (Williamstown Theater Festival), Sugar in Our Wounds (MTC), Tartuffe (Playmakers Rep), Where Storms Are Born (Williamstown), Henry V (NYU Tisch), Twelfth Night (Public Theater), Kill Move Paradise (National Black Theater), Diaspora (Gym at Judson), Nollywood Dreams (Cherry Lane), […]

As Deputy Director of SDC, Randy manages the daily operations of the Union. Working closely with the Executive Director he helps to shape strategy and support the continued growth of SDC. He is responsible for overseeing Union-wide initiatives, implementing strategies for better oversight and enforcement of employment contracts and designing improvements that will benefit the […]

Christopher Ashley has served as La Jolla Playhouse’s Artistic Director since 2007. During his tenure, he has helmed the Playhouse’s productions of Come From Away, Chasing the Song, The Darrel Hammond Project, His Girl Friday, Glengarry Glen Ross, A Dram of Drummhicit, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Restoration and Memphis, which won four 2010 Tony Awards […]

As the Administrative Assistant, Jaymie Bellous plays a vital role in supporting day-to-day operations at SDC. Responsible for office reception and mail handling, Jaymie ensures smooth communication and organization. Additionally, Jaymie assists with event logistics, supports new member onboarding, and represents SDC at industry events. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Jaymie holds a BA in […]

Joshua Bergasse started his career as a young dancer on Broadway before transitioning to choreography and direction. He is the Emmy Award-winning choreographer for NBC’s musical drama Smash, which will be coming to Broadway next season. Joshua received a Tony nomination as well as the Astaire Award for his choreography of the Broadway revival of On the Town. He also […]

Anne Bogart is a theater and opera director and a Professor at Columbia University where she runs the Graduate Directing Program. She is the author of six books: A Director Prepares; The Viewpoints Book; And Then, You Act; Conversations with Anne, What’s the Story and The Art of Resonance. Recent theater productions include Existentialism; Eastland; The […]

Jo Bonney has directed the premieres of plays by: Alan Ball, Hilary Bettis, Eric Bogosian, Eleanor Burgess, Hammaad Chaudry, Culture Clash, Eve Ensler, Jessica Goldberg, Isaac Gomez, Danny Hoch, Ariel Levy & John Turturro, Ione Patricia Lloyd, Neil LaBute, Warren Leight, Martyna Majok, Lynn Nottage, Dan O’Brien, Dael Orlandersmith, Suzan-Lori Parks, Darci Picoult, John Pollono, […]

As Director of Artistic Affairs, Stephanie Coen, a member of the senior staff, is responsible for identifying emerging creative issues and opportunities and addressing ongoing challenges in the field for directors and choreographers. She leads the development of a dynamic system of programs to advance Members’ leadership and influence and promote their artistic and legal […]

Shelley Butler has over forty Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional credits to date and has worked extensively with writers on new plays and musicals. She has directed and developed work across the country for theaters including: Ars Nova, Primary Stages, E.S.T., WP Theater, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Hartford Stage, South Coast Repertory, Denver Center Theatre Company, Yale […]

As Director of Contract Affairs, Kristy Cummings manages the negotiation, enforcement, and administration of SDC agreements as well as the department’s research and analysis, which supports the Union’s collective bargaining positions as well as the strategic growth of the Union. She is the primary administrator of the SDC-Broadway League Agreement and continues to be at […]

Donald Byrd is Artistic Director of Spectrum Dance Theater and a Tony-nominated (The Color Purple) and Bessie Award-winning (The Minstrel Show) choreographer. He has worked with the SDC Diversity Task Force and other SDC related ad hoc groups. During the course or his career, he has created works for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pacific […]

As Special Projects Manager, Maureen Fox supports senior staff and is responsible for organizing Membership Meetings, running Executive Board elections, and aiding various committees, including Nominating, Editorial Advisory, and By-laws/Work Rules. Additionally, she assists with event planning for Broadway Salutes, helps with research for SDC Journal, and serves as recording secretary for the Coalition of […]

Rebecca (Becca) administers Outdoor Musical Stock (OMS), Regional Music Theatre Agreement (RMT), Counsel of Resident Stock (CORST), and Tier Agreements, and is responsible for League of Resident Theatres (LORT) theatres in the Central/Southeast regions of the U.S. Becca joined SDC in January of 2023 after working in nonprofit regional theatres on the east coast. She […]

Rachel Chavkin is a director, sometime writer (and sometimes funny) artistic director of Brooklyn-based experimental collective, the TEAM (www.theteamplays.org) whose work has been seen all over New York, the U.S., and internationally (including festivals across Europe, Australia and the Hong Kong Arts Festival), and whose consensus-driven writing process was the subject of a feature length […]

As SDC’s Community & Communications Associate, Lucy Gram supports SDC’s active connections with our Membership via new Member orientation and Membership events, social media strategy and community management, and more. She works closely with the Director of Artistic Affairs to address creative issues, emerging opportunities, and ongoing challenges in the field for directors and choreographers. […]

Desdemona Chiang is a director and writer based in Seattle, WA and Ashland, OR. She directs in a variety of genres, including new plays, Shakespeare, and musicals. She is known for her visceral, no-nonsense approach to storytelling, with her distinct point of view as an immigrant and Asian American woman, and a specific interest in […]

Andrew administers contracts for the New England Area Theatres (NEAT), Tier Agreements, and is responsible for League of Resident Theatres (LORT) theatres in the West/Northeast regions of the United States. Along with administering contracts, he also participates in negotiating, bargaining, and regulating current terms and conditions. Andrew joined SDC in January of 2024 after working […]

Currently the Head of Directing at the University of Washington School of Drama, Valerie Curtis-Newton also serves as the Founding Artistic Director for The Hansberry Project, a professional African American theatre lab. She has worked with professional theatres across the country including: The Guthrie Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Seattle Rep, Playmakers Repertory […]

Liz Diamond is a Resident Director at Yale Rep and Chair of Directing at Yale School of Drama. Productions at Yale Rep include Brecht’s Caucasian Chalk Circle, Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, Lucinda Coxon’s Happy Now? (also at Primary Stages in New York); Marcus Gardley’s Dance Of The Holy Ghosts; Strindberg’s Miss Julie; Sunil Kuruvilla’s Fighting […]

Byron Easley a recipient of the SDC Joe Callaway Award, is a New York City born and based choreographer. Broadway: Camelot (Lincoln Center), Slave Play (Antonyo Nomination). Off Broadway: Shakespeare’s Richard III at the Public Theater, Des Moines, for Theatre for a New Audience, Bed Wetter, at the Atlantic Theater, Slave Play, at New York […]

As Business Manager in the Finance and Administration department, Michele Holmes processes the quarterly Member billing, advocates for Members experiencing financial hardship, and resolves other Membership issues. Due to her hard work and efforts, the number of Members who are current with their Union status has increased dramatically during her tenure. She also works alongside […]

As Finance Associate, Parker (he/they) supports the financial processes of SDC, SDC Foundation, and the SDC-League Pension & Health Funds. He is responsible for compiling and analyzing accounting data; preparing financial reports; aiding management with budgeting and projections; and maintaining and overseeing efficient royalty processing and analysis protocols. Prior to SDC, Parker previously worked as […]

Justin Emeka is the Resident Director for the Pittsburgh Public Theater where he has directed productions  Two Trains Running, Sweat, American Son and a virtual production of Romeo n Juliet.  He has worked at many theaters around the country including:  Yale Rep, Old Globe, Karamu House, Seattle Rep, Syracuse Stage, Langston Hughes Performance Center in Seattle, […]

Lydia Fort is a director and educator whose credits include Nina Simone: Four Women (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Jump (Actors Express), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Theater Emory), The Mountaintop (Perseverance Theatre), Bright Half Life (Diversionary Theatre ), RIP.TIED (freeFall Theatre), Frida Liberada (Urban Stages), and she was the Associate Director for King Hedley II […]

Laura Penn has been Executive Director of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) since 2008. This year, she was appointed by President Biden to serve as a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Most recently, she was elected to the Board of the Entertainment Community Fund. Under her leadership, SDC’s Membership has grown […]

As Royalty Analyst, Gina is responsible for all royalty income and reporting for all Collectively Bargained Agreements (CBA) for Broadway, Off Broadway, Tours, League of Resident Theatres (LORT), New England Area Theatres (NEAT), and Association of Non-Profit Theatre Companies (ANTC), among others, to confirm accuracy as well as ensure that all contractual financial obligations are […]

Leah C. Gardiner is an Obie Award-winning director known for the “incisive clarity” (The New York Times) of her work with physicality and text. She has directed in the U.S. and internationally, including the premieres of two Pulitzer Prize finalists, Eisa Davis’ Bulrusher and Tanya Barfield’s Blue Door, and countless other new plays by writers including debbie tucker green, Dan Deitz, Anna Deveare […]

Molly administers the Off-Broadway Agreement and Association for Non Profit Theatre Companies (ANTC) Agreement, as well as the TIER Agreement. She joined the SDC in April of 2024, after four years in the agency world, first at A3 Artists Agency, and most recently at the Michael Moore Agency. Molly holds an MFA in New Play […]

Broadway credits include: Newsies (2012 Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards), The Cher Show (Outer Critics nom), My Fair Lady (Tony nomination, Outer Critics nom), SpongeBob Squarepants (Tony nomination, Outer Critics nom), The King and I (Tony nomination, Outer critics nom), South Pacific (Tony, Outer Critics Circle noms.), War Paint, Amazing Grace, Casa […]

Steven Hoggett is an award-winning choreographer and director based in London. He has worked extensively on Broadway, in London’s West End and for some of the most prestigious non-profit theatre companies in the world. Some of his recent work includes movement direction for the global phenomenon Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Sweeney Todd, Angels in […]

Tony and Emmy-nominated director and playwright, and recipient of the National Medal of Arts from President Obama, Moisés Kaufman co-founded Tectonic Theater Project in 1991. Broadway: Paradise Square (10 Tony Award nominations), the revival of Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song, Rajiv Joseph’s Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo with Robin Williams, the revival of The Heiress […]

Kathleen Marshall is an award-winning theatre, film and television director and choreographer.  A nine-time Tony Award nominee, she has won the award three times for Best Choreography for the Broadway revivals of Wonderful Town, The Pajama Game and Anything Goes.  She has worked on more than 20 Broadway shows and she is the first woman […]

Michael Mayer has worked in a broad spectrum of media from theatre and opera to television and film. His Broadway credits include the Broadway revival of Funny Girl starring Lea Michele, the hit revival of Little Shop of Horrors, A Beautiful Noise, Burn This, Head Over Heels, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Tony Award – […]

Melia Bensussen is the Artistic Director of Hartford Stage. The recipient of an OBIE Award for Outstanding Direction, her directing work includes numerous productions at the Huntington Theatre, Trinity Rep, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Sleeping Weazel, Actors Shakespeare Project, Baltimore Centerstage, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, New York Shakespeare Festival, MCC, Primary Stages, Long Wharf, […]

Robert O’Hara has received the NAACP Best Play and Best Director Award, the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding New Play, two Obies, and the Herb Alpert Award. Broadway: Slave Play (Tony Nomination). Off Broadway: Oniell’s Long Days Journey Into Night, Shakespeare’s Richard III, Harris’ Slave Play, Salter and Guiria’s In the Continuum, McCraney’s The Brother/ […]

Annie-B Parson is a choreographer and the artistic director of the OBIE and Bessie Award-winning Big Dance Theater, and with her company has created over 20 large-scale works for BAM, The Old Vic/London, Sadler’s Wells/London, The Walker, The National Theatre/Paris, Japan Society, CSC, and The Kitchen. Parson has also made choreography for rock shows, marching […]

Sam Pinkleton is a director and choreographer. He most recently directed Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! (currently running on Broadway at the Lyceum Theater) and choreographed Stephen Sondheim and David Ives’ Here We Are at The Shed. His recent work as a director includes Morgan Bassichis’ Can I Be Frank? (La MaMa) Noah Diaz’ You Will Get […]

Lisa Portes is a director, educator, and leader dedicated to expanding the circle of people reflected in 21st century American theatre. She is a co-founder of the Latinx Theatre Commons (LTC) and serves as a champion of the LTC Carnaval of New Latinx Work. Lisa Chairs the Department of Theatre and Dance at UCSD, and […]

Lonny Price directed Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard on Broadway and at the English National Opera, Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel at the ENO and Lincoln Center, and Carousel at the ENO. His Broadway credits include Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill starring Audra McDonald (also for HBO and currently on […]

Jon Lawrence Rivera is the Founding Artistic Director of Playwrights’ Arena and recipient of the first Career Achievement Award from Stage Raw. He directed the following world premieres for Playwrights’ Arena: APARTMENT LIVING by Boni B. Alvarez, A HIT DOG WILL HOLLER by Inda Craig-Galván, SOUTHERNMOST by Mary Lyon Kamitaki, BABY EYES by Donald Jolly, […]

John Rando directed the Broadway hit production of Back to the Future, US first national tour, and also on London’s West End (fourth year) which won the 2022 Olivier Award for Best Musical. In 2001 John won the Best Director Tony Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Urinetown, the Musical. His other Broadway credits include On the Town (Tony […]

Ellenore Scott (she/her) is a BIPOC, New York based choreographer and director. Through her work, Ellenore values lifting diverse voices in her community while creating joyous spaces where artists thrive. Ellenore recently co-directed the Off-Broadway NYTimes Critic’s Pick The Lonely Few at MCC with Trip Cullman, marking her NYC directorial debut. Broadway choreography credits: Funny […]

Leigh Silverman is a two time Tony nominee and has directed over 60 world premiere new plays and musicals. Broadway: Yellow Face (Roundabout); Suffs (Tony nom); Grand Horizons (Williamstown, 2ST); The Lifespan of a Fact; Violet (Tony nom), Chinglish; Well. Recent Off-Broadway credits include: Harry Clarke (West End, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Vineyard/Audible); Merry Me (NYTW); Suffs (Public); The […]

Broadway: Violet (Tony nomination); Chinglish; Well.  Off-Broadway: American Hero (2ST); Kung Fu (Signature Theatre); The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence (Playwrights Horizons); The Call (Playwrights Horizons); The Madrid (MTC); Golden Child (Signature Theatre); No Place to Go (Public Theater; Two River Theatre); In the Wake (Center Theatre Group/Berkeley Repertory Theatre and The Public Theater, Obie Award, Lortel nomination); Go Back to Where You Are (Playwrights Horizons, Obie Award); From Up Here (MTC, Drama Desk nomination); Yellow Face (Center Theatre Group/The Public Theater); Coraline (MCC/True Love); Blue […]

The New York Times has praised Bartlett Sher as “one of the most original and exciting directors, not only in the American theater but also in the international world of opera.” Nominated for the Tony Award nine times, he took home the prize in 2008 for his powerful revival of South Pacific. He has worked […]

Katie Spelman (she/her) is a choreographer and director, who will be making her Broadway choreography debut this season with The Notebook. Recent credits include Cabaret (Barrington Stage Company); the world premiere of An American Tail (CTC); Hello Kitty Must Die (Edinburgh Fringe), Day 365 – Live from the Rainbow Room with Dylan Mulvaney, Once (Writers Theatre), The Notebook (CST),  aren’t you glad […]

A five-time Tony Award winning director and choreographer most known for Crazy For You, Contact, The Scottsboro Boys, and The Producers. Her work has been honored with Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel and a record six Astaire Awards. She directed and choreographed The Producers, winner of a record-making 12 Tony Awards including […]

Maria Torres is a world-renowned director-choreographer with an extensive career that transcends theatrical and commercial industries. Torres’ Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban heritage inspires her artistry and led to the cultivation and creation of the “Latin Jazz” dance technique, taught and performed worldwide. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to a broad range of […]

Tamilla Woodard is the co-Artistic Director of Working Theater, former BOLD Associate Artistic Director at WP Theater, and the co-founder of PopUP Theatrics. She also served as the associate director of Hadestown on Broadway. This season her work includes the Lucille Lortel nominated Where We Stand by Donnetta Lavinia Grays for WP Theater and Baltimore […]

Annie Yee is a Los Angeles based and award-winning choreographer. Most recently Annie choreographed An Octoroon at the Fountain Theatre directed by Judith Moreland. Other choreography includes M. Butterfly at South Coast Repertory directed by Desdemona Chiang, where she won a Scenie Award for Best Choreography of a Play; King of the Yees at Baltimore […]

Joseph Haj is the artistic director of the Guthrie Theater. Prior to joining the Guthrie in 2015, Haj served as producing artistic director at PlayMakers Repertory Company. At the Guthrie, Haj has directed Hamlet, A Christmas Carol, Dickens’ Holiday Classic (film), The Glass Menagerie, Cyrano de Bergerac (his own adaptation), West Side Story, Romeo and […]

BROADWAY: Jitney! (Tony, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, NY Drama Critics Circle, Drama League Awards), Skeleton Crew (Tony nomination, OBIE Award, Audelco Award) and his own Lackawanna Blues (Outer Critics, Drama Desk, OBIE, Helen Hayes Awards). OFF-BROADWAY: Paradise Blue, The Piano Lesson (Lucille Lortel, Joseph A. Callaway, Audelco, OBIE Awards), Othello, The Happiest Song Plays Last, My Children! […]

Sheldon Epps has been Artistic Director of the renowned Pasadena Playhouse since 1997.  Before beginning his tenure at the Playhouse he served as Associate Artistic Director of the Old Globe Theatre for four years.  He was also a co-founder of the Off Broadway theatre,The Production Company. Mr. Epps has directed both plays and musicals at […]

Dan Knechtges Broadway – Lysistrata Jones (Direction & Choreography), Xanadu (directed by Chris Ashley, Tony nomination, Drama Desk nomination), Sondheim on Sondheim (directed by James Lapine), 110 in The Shade (starring Audra McDonald) and The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee (directed by James Lapine.) Off-Broadway – TAIL! SPIN! (starring Rachel Dratch), The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee at Second Stage, which earned him a Lucille Lortel Award nomination,Merrily […]

Mark Lamos Artistic Director: California Shakespearean Festival, Arizona Theater Company, Hartford Stage (17 seasons), currently Westport Playhouse. Productions: Kennedy Center, Guthrie, Old Globe, Washington Shakespeare Theater, Yale Rep, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, A.C.T. (San Francisco), Canada’s Stratford Festival, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. New York: Second Stage, Primary Stages, Signature Theater, Playwright’s Horizons, Lincoln Center Theater, Public Theater/Central Park, […]

As the Manager of Plan Services, Suzette works to provide support to Members in regards to their health coverage eligibility in addition to solving any questions involving claims, pension, and benefits. She is a central communicator between SDC Members and the Health and Pension Funds. Prior to SDC, Suzette was the Associate Director of Ma-Yi […]

Seret Scott has directed a dozen productions at the Old Globe Theatre as an Associate Artist. Off-Broadway she premiered Mujeres Y Hombres at New Victory Theatre, and directed Birdie Blue and Zooman and The Sign for Second Stage Theatre, Yohen for Pan Asian Rep. Regional credits: Arena Stage, Woolly Mammoth, Studio Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, South […]

Michael John Garcés is a Los Angeles-based director and playwright.  Directing credits include For the People by Ty Defoe and Larissa FastHorse (The Guthrie Theater), the just and the blind by Marc Bamuthi Joseph and Daniel Bernard Roumain (Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center), The Play You Want by Bernardo Cubriá (The Road Theatre Company), The Rivers Don’t Know by James McManus […]

Evan Yionoulis has directed new plays and classics in New York and across the U.S. She opened Manhattan Theatre Club’s Biltmore Theatre (Broadway) with Richard Greenberg’s The Violet Hour, directed his Everett Beekin (Lincoln Center Theatre) and received an Obie Award for her direction of his Three Days of Rain (Manhattan Theatre Club), having directed the premieres of all three […]