Sdcf Masters Of The Stage

Directing O'Neill: On April 27, 1986 frequent SDCF interviewer and legendary acting coach Ada Brown Mather sat down with director Sir Jonathan Miller to discuss Eugene O'Neill's work one day before his revival of Long Day's Journey Into Night opened on Broadway. In this conversation Sir Miller covers his career as a performer, his recommitment to working in the theatre despite a career as a doctor, his affinity for directing opera, the accidental manner in which he accepted the position as director on Long Day's Journey and how he tackles working on such a seminal piece of American theatre. Originally recorded - April 27, 1986. Running Time - 1:29:46 ©1986 SDCF

Directing Coward: In November of 1986, legendary acting coach Ada Brown Mather sat down with Roderick Cook at Westside Arts Theatre to discuss his affinity for acting, directing and presenting the words and work of Noël Coward. During this interview Cook covers his relationship with Coward the man, the unlikely circumstance under which Cook's hit Oh Coward! was developed and then revived, and the experience of directing Coward shows on and off-Broadway with entertainment giants like Peter O'Toole in his American debut in Present Laughter. Originally recorded - November 25, 1986. Running Time - 1:08:10 ©1986 SDCF

Jack O'Brien: In December of 2001, renowned director Jack O'Brien was interviewed by his former protégé, John Rando, as part of SDCF's One-on-One conversation series. In this 30-minute session Rando and O'Brien span the gamut of Jack's considerable artistic abilities. Jack O'Brien candidly and eloquently covers everything from his sense of competition and his love of discovery, to his artistic process, love of collaboration and management on the Old Globe theatre. Originally recorded - December 1, 2001. Running Time - 32:07 ©2001 SDCF

Austin Pendleton: On November 28, 1988 Elinor Renfield sat down with Austin Pendleton at Westside Arts Theatre to discuss the experience of directing Michael Weller's Spoils of War. In this candid in-depth interview, Mr. Pendleton discusses this original piece from development to opening just eighteen days after Spoils premiered at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway. He covers the writing process with Weller, casting Kate Nelligan and Alice Playten and rehearsing the roles that would earn them a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk nomination, respectively. Originally recorded - November 28, 1988. Running Time - 1:21:16 ©1988 SDCF

David Mamet: In December of 1992 a conversation with David Mamet was presented in New York City at Marymount Manhattan College. In this candid discussion Mamet covers writing, directing, the critics and theatre's purpose to society. His incisive comments on the state of entertainment and culture demonstrate why he is one of the most sought after theatre artists working today. Originally recorded - December 1, 1992. Running Time - 1:00:12 ©1992 SDCF

Doug Hughes and Daniel Sullivan: In Spring of 2006, Tony-award winning directors Daniel Sullivan and Doug Hughes were both in the midst of mounting shows at the Manhattan Theatre Club and agreed to sit down with MTC director of Artistic Operations, Mandy Greenfield for what turned out to be an insightful, thought-provoking and witty conversation about their lives in the theatre. This is a recording of that lovely night on stage at New York City Center, Stage 1. Originally recorded - March 13, 2006. Running Time - 1:20:37 ©2006 SDCF

Kathleen Marshall: On February 9, 2004, Tony Award winning choreographer and director Kathleen Marshall sat down for a One-on-One Conversation with Ted Chapin, President and Executive Director of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, at the Beckett Theatre. The discussion traced her meteoric rise from Broadway gypsy, to assisting her brother Rob Marshall on Kiss of the Spiderwoman, to winning a Tony award for her choreography for the Broadway revival of Wonderful Town. The following is a recording of this wonderful conversation. Originally recorded - February 9, 2004. Running Time - 1:35:02 ©2004 SDCF

Susan Stroman: In June of 2000, just days after winning two Tony Awards for her spectacular work on the record-breaking hit, The Producers, in between her rehearsals for the national tour of Contact and the development of her new musical Thou Shalt Not, Susan Stroman took time out of her busy schedule to participate in SDCF's acclaimed One-on-One conversations series. Ms. Stroman was interviewed by her colleague and friend, Charles Repole, before a sold-out crowd. Together they discussed the genesis of Ms. Stroman's work, the foundation of her craft and the expert use of comedy in her work. Originally recorded - June 7, 2001. Running Time - 1:30:04 ©2001 SDCF

Gene Saks and Jerry Zaks: As part of the SDCF's Directing Comedy: A Serious Business symposium in April of 2000, the Foundation was privileged to host two master directors of comic plays and musicals for an in-depth discussion on the craft of directing comedy. Gene Saks and Jerry Zaks offered marvelous insights and expertise from their long and illustrious careers. This discussion features commentary on the stars with whom they've worked, collaboration with their favorite playwrights and what it takes to get a laugh. Originally recorded - April 6, 2000. Running Time - 1:31:03 ©2000 SDCF

Mark Lamos: In June of 2000, Hartford Stage's longtime Artistic Director Mark Lamos sat down with the SDCF for a One-on-One interview. In this conversation Lamos speaks candidly about a recent production of Edward II for A.C.T, his early career and his tenure at Hartford Stage, and the art and craft of directing for opera. Originally recorded - June 14, 2000. Running Time - 1:32:06 ©2000 SDCF

Julie Taymor: On March 12, 1997, eight months before the opening of Lion King on Broadway, Julie Taymor was interviewed by author and collaborator Alexis Greene at Fordham University. In this One-on-One conversation Ms. Taymor reflects on her history as a performer in the collaborative theatre companies of the late 60's and 70's. She speaks about her origins as a director and puppeteer and the development of her aesthetic through international study of eastern theatre. She remarks about the potential for commercial success with Lion King, and the freedom Disney producers were giving her to create a piece that wasn't simply putting the animated film on stage. Originally recorded - March 12, 1997. Running Time - 1:26:00 ©1997 SDCF

Graciela Daniele: On October 10, 1993 Graciela Daniele was interviewed by SDCFoundation Board Member Frank Ventura at ArtsConnection. In this conversation, Ms. Daniele discusses her life in the arts as a series of transitions. She covers the totality of her career to date, remarking on her evolution from ballerina to musical theatre performer to assistant to director/choreographer. She speaks fondly of former mentors and past productions and candidly articulates her point of view on where American theatre is heading. Originally recorded - October 18, 1993. Running Time - 1:12:57 ©1993 SDCF

Robert Wilson: On March 20, 1997, journalist John Rockwell interviewed Robert Wilson at ArtsConnection. This interview, co-sponsored by the SDCFoundation and the Drama League Directors Project, covers the career to date of this visionary artist. Specifically, it focuses on the progression of his avant-garde aesthetic; his use of lighting, movement, text, and sound in his international performance pieces; and his methods for developing these productions. Originally recorded - March 20, 1997. Running Time - 1:14:34 ©1997 SDCF

Des McAnuff: On February 7, 1994 David Diamond interviewed Des McAnuff. Here he speaks of his origins as a writer in Canada, his relationship with the Public Theater and Joe Papp, his collaboration with Pete Townshend on The Who's Tommy, and other satisfying moments as Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse. Originally recorded - February 7, 1994. Running Time - 1:34:15 ©1994 SDCF

Jose Quintero: On April 7th, 1980 the department of Spanish and Portuguese of New York University and the SDCFoundation sponsored a rare interview with Director Jose Quintero. In this discussion, moderated by Richard Eder, Mr. Quintero speaks about his creative process and the excitement a close collaboration with playwrights holds for him. Mr. Quintero sat down for this interview the evening after Clothes for a Summer Hotel closed on Broadway. He speaks candidly about this production and his ideas for O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh, a revival that opened on Broadway five years later. Originally recorded - April 7, 1980. Running Time - 1:24:20 ©1980 SDCF

George C. Wolfe: On April 18th, 1994 collaborator and colleague Hope Clarke sat down to interview writer-director George C. Wolfe. In this post-Jelly pre-Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk interview, Mr. Wolfe discusses his origins as an artist, the difficulty and fulfillment of writing and directing, his experience running the New York Shakespeare Festival and the future of his career. Originally recorded - April 18, 1994. Running Time - 1:03:46 ©1994 SDCF

Wendy Wasserstein and Daniel Sullivan: In October, 1992 Wendy Wasserstein and Daniel Sullivan sat down at Marymount Manhattan College with SDCFoundation and Dramatist Guild members and the general public to talk about how and why they work together. Originally recorded - October 14, 1992. Running Time - 40:57 ©1992 SDCF

James Lapine: On May 2nd, 2002, soon after the much anticipated opening of the Broadway revival of Into the Woods, his Tony award-winning collaboration with Stephen Sondheim, James Lapine sat down with friend and frequent collaborator, Ira Weitzman for a One-on-One conversation. Together they discussed Mr. Lapine's early years in the theatre, the genesis of his work with such musical luminaries as Sondheim and William Finn, and his experiences as both an award-winning director and writer. Originally recorded - May 2, 2002. Running Time - 1:22:00 © 2002 SDCF