Directors Project Welcome

Created in 1984, The Directors Project has become the preeminent development program for new directors -- providing talented young artists with experiences in the professional theatrical world.

The goals of The Directors Project are to:

• Enhance young directors' artistic growth, broaden their knowledge, and hone their skills by providing opportunities to work with and learn from leading directors, playwrights, actors and designers around the country;
• Provide opportunities for young directors to present their work, and for the professional community to view and assess that work;
• Augment the network of professionals to whom new directors can turn for counsel, support, and employment;
• Accelerate the process through which new directors gain acceptance within the professional community, bringing their unique skills and vision into the working life of the American theatre.

Now in its twenty-third year, The Directors Project has advanced the careers of over 220 talented young directors. They are the artistic directors, associates, and resident directors at over 45 professional theatres. They have directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and at major regional theatres across the country and abroad, as well as in film and television. Their work has been honored with Tony, Emmy, Obie, Bessie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Lucille Lortel, Drama-Logue and Helen Hayes Awards, as well as the NEA/TCG Directing Fellowship, the Alan Schneider Award, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA Fellowship, the Sir John Gielgud Fellowship, the Bob Fosse Fellowship, and the Daryl Roth Creative Spirit Award.

Here are just a few of our notable Alumni:

• Michael Mayer, recipient of the 2007 Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical for Spring Awakening
• John Rando, recipient of the 2002 Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical for Urinetown
• Christopher Ashley, director of the Broadway musical Xanadu, and the newly appointed Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse
• Mark Brokaw , the first American to direct at London's Donmar Warehouse, and director of the upcoming Broadway musical Cry Baby
• R.J. Cutler, Emmy Award-winner for the acclaimed PBS documentary series American High, and an Oscar nominee for The War Room
• Diane Paulus, director of the 40th anniversary Central Park concert version of Hair and the multiple Obie-winning Eli's Comin'
• James Bundy, Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre and Dean of the Yale School of Drama
• Loretta Greco, former Producing Artistic Director of The Women's Project
• Kevin Moriarty, newly appointed Artistic Director of the Dallas Theater Center
• Carl Forsman, Artistic Director of the Dorset Theatre Festival and the 2005 Drama Desk Award-winning Keen Company
• Carolyn Cantor, Artistic Director of Edge Theatre Company and director of Adam Rapp's Stone Cold Dead Serious , selected for The Ten Best Plays of 2002-2003
• Michael John Garcés, Artistic Director of Cornerstone Theater Company and a New Dramatists member playwright
• Joe Calarco , Lucille Lortel Award-winner for his Off-Broadway and London hit Shakespeare's R&J
• Melia Bensussen, Artistic Director of Emerson Stage and an Obie Award-winner for her direction of Jeffrey Hatcher's Turn of the Screw
• Maggie Mancinelli, Artistic Director of Capital Rep in Albany, NY
• Katie Pearl , Obie Award-winner for Nina and Zita
• Rob Urbinati, director of Staceyann Chin’s Border/Clash: A Litany of Desires
• Hal Brooks, Director of the Obie-winning  No Child 

• Daniel Kramer, Evening Standard Award Nomination for Outstanding Newcomer for his direction of Hair and Woyzeck at London's Gate Theatre

• Lear de Bessonet, one of Time Out New York’s 25 People to Watch 2006
• Alex Timbers, director of the Obie-winning A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant, and a Drama Desk nominee for Best Director of a Musical for Gutenberg! The Musical!
• Rebecca Taichman , director of the Humana Festival and Off-Broadway hit The Scene.
• Matt August, director of the Broadway production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Pam MacKinnon, director of Edward Albee’s premiere of Peter and Jerry.
• Dana Iris Harrel,Associate Producer La Jolla Playhouse
• Davis McCallum, director of Charles Mee’s Signature Theatre Company premiere of Queens Boulevard (the musical)