Drama League of New York

The Drama League of New York originated as a national organization begun in Chicago in 1910. The organization had two primary objectives: to influence the professional production of the best plays by alerting members to performances that warranted their support; and to ensure the continuity of professional theater by education the audiences of the future.

In 1934, the League decided to recognize theatrical achievement in a different way. A committee consisting of Broadway producers and other theater professionals created the first - and still the only - audience-selected award for distinguished performance in a theatrical production (later to be known as The Drama League Awards).

The Directors' Project

In the 1980s, The Drama League experienced major transformation. It now also focused its efforts on providing a training program for directors, and a developmental and support program for playwrights. In 1984 the League initiated a program for young directors that combined training with intensive professional experience for entry-level or early career directors.

The Program has three phases:

1. A series of workshops under the guidance of prominent theatre professionals.
2. Assistant directing assignments (one at a regional theatre, one at a New York Theatre).
3. A Production with an Equity cast in New York City.

In 1988, the Directors' Project was expanded to include a summer directing program to run in conjunction with the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York. Participants in this program travel to the Hangar, where they each direct a children's show and at least two short plays, and serve as assistant director on a main stage production.

The Directors' Project also includes two other programs, the New Directors/New Works program, and the Assistant Directors Program.