Next Stage: A project of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society + Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation.

Next Stage is a two-year, data-driven study that addresses the artistic aspirations and financial insecurities of professional directors and choreographers across the country, both pre-pandemic and during the industry shutdown.

ON THE EDGE

The Lives and Livelihoods of Stage Directors and Choreographers

A Next Stage Report

Even before March 2020, few directors and choreographers were able to rely solely on their earnings in the field to put a roof over their head or food on their table. Wages and opportunities were not fairly available, especially for artists of color and women. Because the top-line revenues of some artists were at record levels, not enough attention may have been paid to the glowing red warning signs. The Next Stage report considers why an investigation and articulation into the lives of directors and choreographers has meaning right now; not simply for the world of these artists individually and collectively, but for our theatres, and our communities in New York and across the country.

ON THE EDGE

The Lives and Livelihoods of Stage Directors and Choreographers

A Next Stage Podcast Series

Over a two-year period, through three phases, the Next Stage project examined the lives and livelihoods of stage directors and choreographers. The resulting report, On the Edge, was released in October 2020 and “offers a bold statistical account of the social and economic inequities in the field and the clear challenges SDC Members face” (Carla Hoke-Miller, Director, Theatre Programs and Partnerships, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment).

You may listen to our programs directly from this page by clicking on the audio tracks below. To see a full list of episodes and to download them, you may visit the following site, as well:

Libsyn

In today’s conversation, hosted by series moderator Mark Blankenship, SDC Executive Director Laura Penn joins Tony Cleasby & Jorge Gonzales from the Network for Culture & Arts Policy (NCAP) to discuss the origin of the study, its research, and what its reveals about directors’ and choreographers’ careers both before and through the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the second episode, moderator Mark Blankenship speaks with SDC Members Donald Byrd, Liz Diamond and Chay Yew about the impact of the study on the lives of directors and choreographers, particularly in light of addressing issues of social justice and equity in the field.

In collaboration with SDCF’s virtual roundtable series about artistic leadership, Sheldon Epps moderated a conversation with newly appointed associate artistic and resident directors about what it means to hold these positions at theatres during this moment. He was joined by Saheem Ali (Associate Artistic Director, The Public Theater), Lileana Blain-Cruz (Resident Director, Lincoln Center Theater), Chanel Bragg (Associate Artistic Director, Arizona Theatre Company), and Miranda Haymon (Resident Director, Roundabout Theatre Company). In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss their paths in the field to artistic leadership, how they operate within their roles at their different theatres organizations, and their thoughts around the future of the industry.