(Seattle, WA, April 29, 2019) – Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), the theatrical Union that represents over 4,000 professional stage directors and choreographers will host an all-day summit for its Members and their guests, on Monday, May 6. The day, which begins at 1:00 PM, is designed to facilitate a space for directors and choreographers to engage in conversation with their colleagues around their craft, to raise the profile of Northwest directors and choreographers, and to encourage increased community through SDC.
An evening session follows at 5:00 PM, and is free and open to the general public, entitled Leadership: Making Theatre & Shaping Communities, A Conversation with Tony Taccone, Artistic Director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Moderated by SDC Executive Director Laura Penn, this conversation will explore the balancing of artistic leadership and individual artistic ambition, and how that dynamic can build strong institutions and contribute to a community’s cultural vibrancy.
“Tony has had an extraordinary career spanning nearly four decades in the Bay Area, over three of which have been spent at Berkeley Repertory Theatre,” states Laura Penn. “He has been described by colleagues as the perfect artistic director and by the press as one of the most prominent artistic directors in the country. His work has had a profound impact on his community as well as the industry, in both the non-profit and commercial theatre. We have an opportunity to hear how Tony balanced his own artistic ambitions while leading Berkeley Rep, and talk with him about what his future might bring.”
The Seattle Summit is made possible by a planning committee comprised of local directors and choreographers including: Event Chair Kathryn Van Meter, as well as Braden Abraham, Geoffrey Alm, Valerie Curtis-Newton, Sheila Daniels, Brandon Ivie, Rosa Joshi, Allison Narver, and Scott Nolte, and SDC Executive Board Members Desdemona Chiang and Linda Hartzell.
If you are a local director or choreographer interested in learning more about all of the Summit events, please contact Kristy Cummings at KCummings@SDCweb.org.
The doors open for the general public event at 5:00 PM for registration and refreshments and the conversation with Tony Taccone begins at 5:30 PM. Guests must RSVP by sending an e-mail to SeattleRSVP@SDCweb.org.
SDC is the theatrical union that unites, empowers, and protects professional stage directors and choreographers throughout the United States. Its mission is to foster a national community by protecting the rights, health, and livelihoods of all its Members; facilitating the exchange of ideas, information, and opportunities, while educating the current and future generations about the role of directors and choreographers; and providing effective administrative, negotiating, and contractual support.
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TONY TACCONE
After more than 30 years as Artistic Director at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Tony Taccone is celebrating his final season with the company. During Tony’s tenure at Berkeley Rep, the Tony Award-winning nonprofit has earned a reputation as an international leader in innovative theatre. In these years, the theatre has presented more than 70 world, American, and West Coast premieres and sent 24 shows to New York, two to London, and one to Hong Kong. Tony has staged more than 40 plays in Berkeley and directed three shows that landed on Broadway: Bridge & Tunnel, Wishful Drinking, and Latin History for Morons. Most recently, Tony directed the revival of Angels in America at Berkeley Rep, and this season he will direct the world premiere musical, Kiss My Aztec!
LAURA PENN
Since Laura Penn joined SDC as Executive Director in 2008, Membership has grown 35%, a result of successful expansion of jurisdiction nationally and negotiations for SDC including Broadway, LORT, and Off-Broadway while supporting Members in complex, high-profile positions. In her role, Laura keeps a keen eye on the challenges currently facing directors and choreographers while forging partnerships with constituents and expanding the unions reach and scope within the industry. She is Co-Chair of the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG), serves on the Tony Awards Administration Committee, and is a Tony Voter. Prior to SDC, Laura was the Managing Director of Seattle’s Intiman Theatre, a position she held for 14 years in partnership with Artistic Directors Bartlett Sher and Warner Shook. During her tenure the theatre was given the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (2006). Prior to Intiman, Laura worked at Seattle Repertory Theatre as Associate Managing Director.