David Hyde Pierce to Host the 2019 Mr. Abbott Award Gala

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), today announced SDC Member, and Tony Award winner David Hyde Pierce will host the 2019 "Mr. Abbott" Award Gala on March 25 at the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF). In honor of this special evening Concord Theatricals and The Shubert Organization, Inc. will serve as lead sponsors.

"I am honored to host the "Mr. Abbott" Award, to pay homage to Victoria Traube and the great work she continues to champion, to pay tribute to the legendary Agnes De Mille, one of SDC's pioneering founders, and to help kick off SDC's 60th Anniversary celebration," states Pierce.

In addition, SDC Member, 2015 "Mr. Abbott" Award recipient, and Tony Award winner James Lapine will present a special "Mr. Abbott" Award to Victoria Traube. "When I was asked to present my friend Vicky with this year's Special 'Mr. Abbott' Award, of course I said, Yes!," states Lapine. "It's only fitting, as we have known each other for decades, and I can't imagine anyone more worthy of this inaugural Special award. In fact, Vicky literally has SDC in her blood. Like her father, she has been a champion of the work of directors and choreographers for as long as I have known her, and I am delighted to help honor her at this event."

SDC Foundation Board President Sheldon Epps states, "We are grateful to Concord Theatricals and The Shubert Organization, Inc., for their leadership support which makes possible the outstanding programs offered by the SDC Foundation. We are also delighted that David Hyde Pierce,James Lapine and Jerry Mitchell will be a part of this important and historic evening. They are all esteemed colleagues and SDC Members, dedicated to the important work that we do."

As previously announced, Jerry Mitchell will direct the evening featuring premiere choreography works of SDC Members Al Blackstone, Raja Feather Kelly, Kitty McNamee, Jenn Rose, and Katie Spelman.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, whose mentorship programs, community forums, and public events develop and promote the creativity and craft of directors and choreographers and foster a cross-generational, National Theatre community.

Founded in 1965, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) exists to foster, promote and develop the craft and creativity of stage directors and choreographers. SDCF's goals are to provide opportunities to practice the crafts of directing and choreography; to gather and disseminate craft and career information; to promote the profession to emerging talent; to provide opportunities for exchange of knowledge among directors and choreographers; and to increase the awareness of the value of directors' and choreographers' work, and to convene around issues affecting theatre artists. www.sdcfoundation.org.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) is the theatrical union that unites, empowers, and protects professional stage directors and choreographers throughout the United States. Its mission is to foster a national community of professional stage directors and choreographers by protecting the rights, health, and livelihoods of all of its Members; facilitating the exchange of ideas, information, and opportunities, while educating the current and future generations about the role of directors and choreographers; and providing effective administrative, negotiating, and contractual support. 2019 marks the Union's 60th Anniversary. sdcweb.org

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos