Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, the nonprofit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, announced Oct. 15 the creation of the Zelda Fichandler Award to “recognize an outstanding director or choreographer who is making a unique and exceptional contribution through his or her work in regional theater.”
Named for Zelda Fichandler, a founder of the American regional theater movement, the award, established as part of SDC’s 50th anniversary season, celebrates prominent achievement in the field, singular creativity and artistry, and a deep investment in a particular place outside of New York.
Karen Azenberg, president of SDC and SDCF, says, “Zelda Fichandler and the founders of the regional theater movement have left an indelible mark on the national arts landscape. This award will recognize directors and choreographers who are making a deep and extraordinary contribution to the region in which they live and practice by cultivating a distinct regional perspective while creating a significant body of work. With this award, SDCF will increase the visibility of great theater being created across the United States, outside of New York, and strengthen our connection to SDC members throughout the country.”
The award will be given regionally on a rotating basis. This year, it will be awarded to a director or choreographer who has made and who continues to make a significant contribution to theater in the Western region (Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Hawaii, Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.M., Ore., Texas, Utah, Wash., Wyo.). In subsequent years, the award will honor achievement in three other designated regions: Central, Eastern, and Southern.
Each year, a committee will select the Zelda Fichandler Award recipient from artists nominated from that year’s selected region. Nominations will be accepted from all sources through Nov. 2, 2009. Nominators need not be SDC members.
A nomination form is available at www.sdcweb.org, at the Fichandler Award page > under the Foundation section.The award will be presented in Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2009.
