Western Region Nominations Now Open for SDCF's $5000 Fichandler Award

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) opened the nomination process for The Zelda Fichandler Award on June 1, 2015. This award is unrestricted grant of $5000 to an outstanding director or choreographer making an exceptional contribution to the national arts landscape through theatre work in a particular region. In 2015, the award will honor achievement in the Western region, comprised of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

With this award, SDCF recognizes the profound impact and honors the legacy of the founders of regional theatre and celebrates the creativity and artistry of theatre around the country. Named after Zelda Fichandler, a founder of the American regional theatre movement, the award celebrates significant achievement in the field, singular creativity and artistry, and a deep investment in a particular region. This award is not for lifetime achievement; the intent is to honor an artist for both accomplishment to date and promise for the future.

The Fichandler Award is given regionally in the Western, Central, and Eastern United States on a rotating basis. Past awardees, in order of award, are Jonathan Moscone (Orinda, California), Michael Halberstam (Glencoe, Illinois), Blanka Zizka (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Bill Rauch (Ashland, Oregon), Charles Newell (Chicago, Illinois), and Joseph Haj (Chapel Hill, North Carolina). Since 2011, finalists have been selected in each region as well.

Nominations will be accepted from all sources through July 10, 2015. Nominators need not be SDC Members, but nominees must be SDC Members in good standing. Late nominations and self-nominations will not be accepted. A short nomination form and detailed guidelines are available on our website. The Award will be presented in November 2015.