"Why then, can one desire too much of a good thing?"

Talk about needing to hit the ground running! The past 10 days have been a glorious blur of incredible experiences with amazing people. Like the other fellows have said, WonderDays was awesome – I had no idea what was in store when I arrived in NYC (from Chicago), and the Drama League staff kept us constantly occupied. We were greeted in the most welcoming way possible, and then sent off into the professional world of theatre to meet with the cream of the crop: set designer David Korins, Jonathan Bank (artistic director of the Mint Theatre Company), Molly Kramer at TheatreworksUSA, literary associate Elizabeth Frankel at the Public Theatre, casting director Cindi Rush, Gretchen Michelfeld at SSDC (soon to be SDC), Sharon Jensen at Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts …just to name a few. Not to mention rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest actors in the business at the Drama League Awards…AND getting to listen to Oskar Eustis and Diane Paulus speak at the Director’s Symposium…AND getting to see five great Broadway and Off-Broadway plays. In short, an amazing start.

Now we’re in Ithaca, and things have not let up. Again, we were greeted with enthusiasm, and then sent right into orientation meetings. The other fellows and I have developed a really close relationship, as is evidenced by our support for and trust in each other. We just picked our season and decided directing assignments, and I can honestly say I would not want to be going into this summer with anyone else. As the artistic leadership of the Lab Company, we are responsible for making sure things are creatively stimulating for everyone involved and go off without a hitch. The designers arrived a couple days ago and we are already in the thick of the initial design process. Amongst all this, Sherri and I are hoping to find time to make it to a local vineyard and check out some of the breathtaking scenery up close. Wish us luck!

And It Begins: New York All Around

Wonder Days: 

I've been living in New York City for 3 years and managed to see a whole new side of it in just 5 days.  Wonder Days were amazing and created a very quiet feeling within myself because there was so much to take in and so many rare opportunities to meet with extremely successful and knowledgeable people involved in the theatre scene. Saturday's Directors Project Symposium was one of my favorite events. To be in a room filled with actors and artistic directors speaking directly to other fellow directors on how to succeed in the scene, how to create a company, collaborate successfully on new works, how to use our best resources (including each other) to thrive as creative artists in this economy, and how to find one's niche in the field was crucial and the first time I felt surrounded by so many people who in one way or another shared common or similar goals.  

Meeting with Artistic Director Jonathan Bank from the Mint Theatre opened my eyes to the world of possibilities available in directing rarely done works and how moving and inspiring introducing an audience to that can be.  While conversely, seeing Our Town directed by David Cromer reminded me of how impacting doing a well known play in such a simple way that today’s audience can relate to, can make one feel as if they’re seeing it for the first time all over again.

 

The Bumper Stickers Don’t Lie…Ithaca really is that Gorges (Gorgeous):

This place is unbelievable and I can’t believe I get to collaborate and direct at a theatre located in the middle of all this beauty.  The community is warm and welcoming.  Everywhere I look something inspires. I’ve chosen to have my first design meeting in the middle of town so the creative team can feel the vibe of the area while ideas about the piece flow. I’m on my way now…

And it begins,

Sherri

And we're off!

One week into our summer adventure and already we're busy, busy busy! A quick recap:

Wonder Days were incredible. I learned so much from each of our meetings. The experience that sticks with me the most is attending the Drama League Awards luncheon. It’s remarkably egalitarian – all nominees get to share the stage and to speak. Some of the most moving moments came listening to nominees in awe of the company they shared. There was something remarkable about seeing shows as diverse as Billy Elliot and the Mabou Mines Doll House get honored in the same ceremony.

Now we’ve moved on to Ithaca where we’re still settling in - meeting with stage management and the Hangar staff and generally getting into the swing of things. Finally got to do our first grocery run tonight, wherein I learned of the glory that is Wegmans. Truly – it puts all my previous grocery shopping experiences to shame.

The designers arrived yesterday and we got to go for our first night out (a key part of any good creative process, right?). An important thing I’ve rediscovered this week: even without an agenda social time is work time. We’ve been doing lots of group dinners with directors, designers, etc. I had forgotten how fruitful the side conversations that inevitably develop can be.

More soon. The Great Work Begins!

NY Wonder and Gorgeous Ithaca

Wonder Days in NY was great. Our week was full to the brim with meetings with theater professionals and artistic leaders, The Drama League Awards, a director's symposium, seeing tons of shows, and attending a board member's amazing welcome dinner. My personal highlights included seeing 39 Steps and Our Town, a meeting discussing collaboration with a professional designer, a meeting discussing strategies for working with casting directors, a panel on regional, commercial and off-broadway theaters surviving hard economic times, and hanging out with the wonderful staff of The Drama League in NYC! It was really fun getting to know my fellow Drama League fellows past and present throughout the week's events.

Now we are in Ithaca where everything is moving very quickly-We have chosen our summer season, welcomed our design team and are looking forward to welcoming our company of actors next week to this beautiful city! Ithaca IS gorgeous. Rehearsals start in a week and shortly after that we will kick off our summer season with our first Kiddstuff show and two shows in the infamous Wedge at the Hangar Theatre. I can't wait to see how each project transforms The Wedge space this summer. This week has been full of meetings with the staff of the Hangar Theatre-a stellar group of people running an amazing organization, with an incredibly supportive board. We have been busy with getting to know the theater and Hangar Lab season planning all week, and I hope we can find some time to check out the beautiful gorges and waterfalls everyone we meet keeps bragging about! Needless to say, we are having a great time in Ithaca!

Over and out,
Mia

Our Summer Season Begins!

Welcome!
The Drama League's Summer Directing Project is a very competitive program. This year there were seventy-seven applicants. From those that applied sixteen were chosen for an interview, and of those sixteen, only four directors become Drama League fellows.This blog is an opportunity for them to share their experiences in their own words.