Masters of the Stage

At its 2002 Musical Theatre Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel featuring Todd Haimes (Artistic Director, Roundabout Theatre Company), Marty Bell (Producer, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Ragtime), Sue Frost (Associate Producer, Goodspeed Musicals), Michael Rego (Associate Producer, Urinetown), Robert Johanson (Artistic Director, Paper Mill Playhouse),David Warren (Director, Summer and Smoke) and Elizabeth Williams (Producer, Crazy For You) to discuss how directors and choreographers get hired and how, once hired, they can forge a relationship with a producer. Topics include commercial vs. not-for-profit hiring processes, career development opportunities for directors and the role of an assistant director. This conversation includes anecdotes from regional institutions and Broadway, valuable advice and a broad scope of the many paths for the emerging director or choreographer.