The prestigious Boris Sagal Fellowship, established by Williamstown Theatre Festival Trustee Emeritus Marge Champion, is designed to allow an emerging director to establish themselves as a professional. The Sagal Directing Fellow will work on the Fellowship Projects, developing a new play or musical with the Non-Equity Company. Many past Sagal Fellows have gone on to work as professional directors in New York and regional theatres. The fellowship includes a stipend for living expenses and housing for the summer.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for a Boris Sagal Fellowship, please submit the following:
1. A cover letter and current resume with address, phone number and e-mail address.
2. Two written recommendations from people who can attest to your qualifications and potential as a director. Please submit the title and contact information for the above with the letters of recommendation and note that all recommendations should be included with the rest of the submission.
3. Please answer the following questions in some detail (each answer should not exceed one typed page):
a. This program encourages directors and playwrights to develop new theatrical material through a collaborative process with a company of ten actors over an eight to ten week period. Please describe two to three ideas/projects you would like to develop into a play or musical. These projects should not be adaptations of established work but new ideas based on significant source material. Please describe why you think this "idea" should be developed into a play/musical, why you are interested in the subject matter and why you think it would work with a company of young actors, ages twenty-one to twenty-six. Please note, we are only interested in creating new work, do not submit projects you are currently developing. (Allow one paragraph for each project, again with the entire response totaling a maximum of one full page).
b. Please describe a play or musical you have developed in the past. What was the process like? What did you learn? Have you ever developed a project with actors? What was that like?
c. Please describe two or three playwrights you would like to work with on these projects. Why do you think their work and personality would be appropriate for this venue? Have you worked with them before, what is their work like, are they collaborative, etc.? Please include playwrights who would be interested in this project and that you know or have worked with before. Please include their resumes and do not send scripts or writing samples.
4. To be considered, we would prefer to see your work in the form of a fully mounted production before March 2008. Although a live performance is preferable, we will accept a DVD of your work. DVD's will not be returned, please do not send original material. You will still be considered if you do not have a DVD of your work. Please note that if you choose to send a DVD, it should be included with the rest of the submission.
When mailing your application, please be sure to specify in your letter that you are applying for the Boris Sagal Fellowship. The final deadline for all materials is January 15th, but we urge you to notify us if your work can be seen imminently.
Please send all materials to:
Sagal Fellowship Committee
Williamstown Theatre Festival
229 West 42nd Street, Suite 801
New York, NY 10036-7205
Phone: (212) 395-9090
Fax: (212) 395-9099
Email: mcoglan@wtfestival.org
Applicants will receive a confirmation email once their materials have been received.
The Bill Foeller Fellowship
The Bill Foeller Fellowship serves young, promising directors who are seeking a boost to their existing professional careers. Named for the late Bill Foeller, a director who worked at the Festival in 1997, the fellowship was established by his close friends Lewis Black and Gaylen Ross who believe that WTF is the proper place to carry on the spirit of Bill's love for the theatre, aspiring artists and golf. Currently, the Bill Foeller Fellowship is awarded by invitation only to directors familiar to the selection committee.