Oskar Eustis To Serve As Keynote Speaker For 09 Directors Project Symposium 5/16

The Drama League is pleased to announce that Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director for The Public Theater, will serve as the Keynote Speaker for The 2009 Directors Project Symposium on Saturday, May 16, 2009.

This year's symposium, titled "Directing Today - and the Next 25 Years," features a day-long series of panel discussions on the craft of stage directing, all of which are free and open to the public, though reservations are required (see below for details).

The symposium begins at 10 a.m. at the New School for Drama (151 Bank Street) with a presentation and keynote speech by Mr. Eustis.

An audience Q&A will follow the presentation.

A full series of panel discussions will continue throughout the day, featuring a variety of accomplished industry professionals, including:

· Diane Paulus (Director of Hair)
· Ginny Louloudis (Executive Director of ART/NY)
· Carl Forsman (Artistic Director of the Keen Company)
· Morgan Jenness (Abrams Artists Agency)
· Kristin Marting (Artistic Director of HERE)
· Alex Timbers (Artistic Director of Les Freres Corbusier)

Panel topics include:

· "Directing and Producing Theatre in the New Economy"
· "The Director/Playwright Relationship"
· "The Business of Show: Promoting and Marketing Yourself"
· "Articulating and Sustaining Your Artistic Mission"

For a complete schedule of panels and participants, please visit www.dramaleague.org.

Admission to The 2009 Directors Project Symposium is free, but seats are limited. To reserve a seat for any of the panels, please email symposium@dramaleague.org.

The symposium is presented as part of The Directors Project 25th Anniversary Alumni Celebration Weekend.

The weekend kicks-off on Friday, May 15 at The 75th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon at the Marriott Marquis Hotel (1535 Broadway), with a special salute to the 25th anniversary the Directors Project.

Presented by Directors Project alumni Mark Brokaw (Distracted) and Diane Paulus (Hair) the 25th anniversary salute will acknowledge the remarkable accomplishments of the Directors Project's 232 alumni.

To purchase tickets for The 75th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, please visit www.dramaleague.org.

"The 25th anniversary of the Directors Project is a wonderful opportunity to bring new attention to the mission and work of the Drama League," said Roger T. Danforth, Artistic Director of the Directors Project, "and particularly, to the opportunity the Directors Project provides to young talent, to the accomplishment of our 232 alumni, and to its lasting impact on the American Theatre and the entire entertainment industry.

"The 25th anniversary also gives us the opportunity to look back and celebrate the achievements of The Directors Project, to look at the current state of the theatrical profession for directors and to look ahead to what the next 25 years may hold for directors," he added.

"The Drama League's commitment to young directors is unparalleled," said Directors Project alumna Diane Paulus. "The degree of support and respect they give you is astonishing. They opened the door to my professional career - and continue to be there for advice, encouragement and an invaluable sense of community."

The Drama League Directors Project is the nation's leading career development program for early and mid-career theatre directors. Founded by former Drama League President Julia Hansen and run by Roger T. Danforth since 1995, The Directors Project is aimed at identifying and helping young, talented directors to bridge the gap between academic training and professional success.

Through its partnerships with professional theatres across the U.S. and its commitment to ongoing career development, The Directors Project uniquely supports aspiring theatre artists in America.

Notable alumni of The Directors Project include Christopher Ashley, Mark Brokaw, Michael Mayer, Pam Mackinnon, John Rando and Alex Timbers.