SDC protects the rights of directors and choreographers.

Judge Saul Streit, Presiding Justice of the New York Supreme Court (seated), signs the incorporation documents witnessed by original Members (left to right) Hanya Holm, Ezra Stone, Shepard Traube, Agnes de Mille + legal counsel Erwin Feldman.

Over sixty-five years ago, under the helm of director Shepard Traube, the founding Members of SDC united to create a theatrical labor union devoted to empowering the stage director and choreographer. When Bob Fosse withheld his services on a production of Little Me, Broadway producers were forced to recognize the Union, and in the case against producer Jay Julien, SDC won the important distinction of employee for its Membership. In addition to tackling the complex issue of intellectual property rights with such cases as Gerald Gutierrez‘s Most Happy Fella, Joe Mantello‘s Love! Valour! Compassion!, and John Rando‘s and John Carrafa‘s Urinetown, SDC has repeatedly achieved equitable fees and contracts for its Members. Today the Union is stronger than ever, working diligently to raise the profiles of directors and choreographers and their work and to unite, empower, and protect a nationwide Membership of professional directors and choreographers.

Read more about our history.

Leadership History

SDC Founders