The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) recently announced the selection of UNLV and Morehead State University as co-winners of the 2010-2011 Guest Artist Initiative Program grants. Each school will receive SDCF funding of $3,000 to hire a professional director or choreographer for a mainstage production in early 2011.
Through the Guest Artist Initiative, SDCF assists colleges and universities in hiring guest directors and choreographers, providing the schools with funding and administrative support. SDCF publicizes the guest artist position to professional directors and choreographers nationwide, collects and collates applicants' materials, and sends materials to the school for hiring decision; SDCF plays no role in hiring.
UNLV will hire a guest director for its production of Summers of Fear: The Race to Stop Polio in Winter 2011. Artistic Director Dr. Robert Benedetti says of receiving news of the grant, "We hope that this grant will usher in a policy of including premieres of new works in many of our future seasons."
Founded in 1965, SDCF exists to foster, promote and develop the creativity and craft of stage directors and choreographers. SDCF provides opportunities to practice the crafts of directing and choreography; gathers and disseminates craft and career information; promotes the profession to emerging talent; provides forums for exchange of knowledge among directors and choreographers; and increases the awareness of the value of directors' and choreographers' work.
