Masters of the Stage

On May 6th, 2013, Oliver Butler of The Debate Society and Jack E. Cummings III of Transport Group spoke with SDCF Producing Director Ellen Rusconi on their experiences simultaneously managing a directing career and theatrical company. The in-depth discussion follows the ebb and flow of two singular directing careers each affected by a loyalty to their own growing theatre companies. Each recounts the arduous yet fulfilling relationship that comes with being a founder and artistic director through personal anecdotes largely focused on the importance of realistic and forward thinking visions. Listen as they explore how changing cultural and economic trends affect a theatre company's ability to sustain itself and the dichotomy that exists when looking for work outside of the company. The conversation also includes valuable advice on how to manage the drama between an emerging director's overall body of work and attitudes towards current projects in addition to balancing a theatre director's artistic freedom with a non-for-profit production's financial restraint.