SDCF Creates CHARLES ABBOTT FELLOWSHIP

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces the creation of the Charles Abbott Fellowship, named for the recently retired Artistic Director of Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT).

The Fellowship offers an emerging director or choreographer the opportunity to observe a master director or choreographer mount a classic American musical at a high-profile regional theatre. This year's inaugural Fellow will work on the January 2011 production of CAMELOT under the direction of Ted Pappas at Pittsburgh Public Theater. The Fellow will receive a stipend of $2500 from SDCF.

The Fellowship was created to honor it Charles Abbott, a professional theatre director, producer and actor who retired as Artistic Director of MSMT following the 2010 summer season after a 19-year tenure. MSMT Board Member Jan Wilk established the Fellowship at SDCF with funds, ample enough to offer fellowships for at least five years, collected from friends and colleagues of Charles Abbott.

"This fellowship is a great honor made possible by theatre lovers and associates from Down East Maine and by business colleagues: directors, choreographers, actors, designers, music directors, patrons - friends all - after 50 glorious years of live theatre," states Mr. Abbott. "As I once benefited from a similar SDC Foundation program, I'm looking forward to this fellowship supporting burgeoning directors and choreographers at leading regional theatres for years to come."

Mr. Abbott selected Ted Pappas of Pittsburgh Public Theater as the inaugural Fellowship mentor. "Ted enjoys a career as the Artistic Director of a revered regional theatre as well as a guest artist at other commercial and not-for-profit theatres. He continues to include classic American musicals as part of his theatre's subscription series, most often directing them himself to great acclaim," explains Mr. Abbott. "It seems obvious to me that some lucky fellowship winner will learn a great deal by assisting this well-spoken and versed director/choreographer/artistic director."

Ted Pappas responds: "Pittsburgh Public Theater is honored to be the inaugural host of the recipient of the Charles Abbott Fellowship. Charles has had a distinguished career as a director, actor, and producer, and his legacy of professionalism and dedication to classic musicals will live on through this fellowship,"

Forty-five directors and choreographers have applied for this Fellowship. A selection committee comprised of professional directors and choreographers will select finalists in early December. Mr. Pappas will personally select the recipient from interviews with the finalists.

Founded in 1965 by Members of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) is the nation's premier organization that exists to foster, train, support and promote the craft of theatre Directors and Choreographers. SDCF aims to provide opportunities to practice the crafts of direction and choreography; promote emerging talent; grant access to career paths for emerging artists and young professionals; gather and disseminate craft and career information; provide forums for exchange of knowledge; and increase the awareness of the value of Directors' and Choreographers' work.

For additional information, visit SDC online at SDCweb.org.