SDC Directing Initiative

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) Directing Initiative

What is the SDC Directing Initiative?

SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society) is the theatrical union that unites, empowers, and protects professional stage directors and choreographers throughout the United States.

The SDC Directing Initiative is a collaboration between KCACTF and SDC. The Initiative provides recognition, honor, and financial assistance to student directors who have demonstrated success in direction. Candidates are nominated by their individual institutions, and the institution must have entered either an associate or participating production during the calendar year prior to the regional festival.

At the conclusion of the regional festival, one student director from this program will be selected to participate in the National Festival. They also receive a one-year Associate Membership in SDC, which introduces each regional finalist to the national community of professional stage directors and choreographers.

How do I participate in SDC
Directing Initiative in Region VII?

To be eligible for the SDC Directing Initiative program, you must:

  • Attend a school which has entered at least one production in the regional festival at either the associate or participating level.
  • Be a bona fide student at the time of the regional festival.
  • Be nominated by a faculty member at your school.

What is the process to participate?

Overview

  • Before the Festival
    • Student directors choose a scene from the list provided by the National KCACTF, prepare a statement on their vision for their scene, and submit an initial vision statement (via video) as well as resume and faculty recommendation by December 1.
    • Those students selected to participate at the Festival will prepare a director’s book and will rehearse the scene with actors from their home institution. Director’s books will be submitted prior to attending the Festival.
  • At the Festival
    • Student directors participate in an interview and feedback session during which they receive feedback on their pitch and director’s book from the respondents.
    • Student directors will have a scheduled rehearsal time during which the respondent will observe both their work in the rehearsal space and a run of the scene to offer feedback to each director.
    • Student directors will present their short scenes in a session open to all Festival attendees, followed by a response session.

Click here for the 2025-2026 SDC Directing Initiative submission details

Click here for the National SDC Directing Initiative website