This past Monday night, The Drama League Winter Mixer, hosted by President Bonnie Comley, Executive Director Bevin Ross, and Artistic Director Gabriel Stelain-Shanks, was a celebration of the return of live theater and the directors at the helm. Throughout the pandemic and for the past two years, The Drama League has honored theater artists and philanthropists working closely with the organization including Billy Crystal, Hugh Jackman, Iris Smith, Willette Murphy Klausner, Rose and Luigi Caiola, Lileana Blain Cruz and Liesl Tommy, among others.
The Drama League mentors their exceptional stage directors through personalized training, production opportunities, and professional development. The successful track record has attracted theater industry insiders, and philanthropists and garnered grants from major foundations.
The alumni of the Drama League’s Directors Project initiative has become a who’s who of Broadway directors, with 30% of the Broadway shows each year being directed by this illustrious group.
This season The Drama League is represented on Broadway by Directors Project alumni including: Diane Paulus (1776), Michael Mayer (Funny Girl, A Beautiful Noise), Alex Timbers (Beetlejuice, Moulin Rouge) Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown), Lear DeBessonet (Into The Woods), Ibi Owolabi (Assistant Director of The Cost of Living), and Hannah Ryan (Resident Director of Hamilton).
The Drama League Board and staff has lots to celebrate but they remain focused on the Drama League’s mission of advancing the American theater by providing a life-long artistic home for directors.
To learn more go to: www.DramaLeague.org
