Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Writers Theatre, Michael Halberstam, has been awarded the 2010 Zelda Fichandler Award by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF).
The Fichandler award recognizes an outstanding director or choreographer who is transforming the regional arts land scape through singular creativity and artistry in theatre. It also heralds accomplishment to date and promise for the future, artistic vision, and deep commitment to a region outside of New York. The award is given regionally on a rotating basis and is one of only three awards given to theatre directors and choreographers by their peers.
“I am more than humbled, completely and thrillingly surprised, and utterly grateful to SDCF. Theatre is, of course, a completely collaborative art form and my work has only ever been as successful as the many actors, designers, artisans, technicians, staff members, volunteers and donors who have come together to support a particular vision. Midwest regional theatre is simply bursting with enthusiasm for the art, significant talent and the entrepreneurial spirit. But we owe our foundations to the visionary leadership of pioneers like Zelda Fichandler. I am thoroughly in awe her legacy and I am honored to be chosen as representational of the kind of work she inspired,” Michael shared.
Zelda Fichandler was one of the founders of the American regional theatre movement. She founded Washington D.C.’s Arena Stage in 1950 and in 1968 produced THE GREAT WHITE HOPE, the first production to transfer from a regional theatre to Broadway. When she retired in 1990, she had achieved the longest tenure of any non-commercial producer in the annals of the American theater.
David Cromer, the lauded director of last season’s triumphant A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, will present the award to Michael at an event on Monday, October 18th at 6pm at Steppenwolf Theatre. The evening will also feature a panel of Chicago directors (including Seth Bockley, Timothy Douglas, Gary Griffin, Kimberly Senior and Dennis Zacek, moderated by Sheldon Patinkin) discussing the Chicago stage directing aesthetic and where it’s headed in the 21st century.
Congratulations Michael!
4 Comments
Hi Michael,
I hope you received my message of congrats which I sent to you the day after I received the info.
Quite an acknowledgement and deserved. You have put heart and soul into this.
Hope things are well with you and that life is good.
Very best to you,
Richard.
Congratulations, Michael! What a wonderful award for a wonderful man! And thank you for your eloquent, articulate, passionate acceptance speech, which I found inspiring. You’re the best!
Hugs,
Barb
Michael,
Congratulations on this prestigious award. It was my pleasure to have made your acquaintance during my employment at Writer’s for “Lion in Winter” a few years ago.
Best wishes on your continued success.
Kindest regards,
Magdalene
Congratulations Michael!
We have not met, but I am a director and actor in NYC and found your words incredibly inspiring. Your rigor and commitment to the art of theater and to building a community in which artists and audience can thrive together in meaningful conversation is exactly what the world needs more of! I so rarely get to hear a director speak so candidly to his/her passion for the potential of theater to change humanity for the better. Thank you also for Nicholas Pennell’s words–I will write them down and remember them in my own work. I look forward to seeing one of your productions, and congratulations again on your award.
Best Wishes,
Walker