Kennedy Center Directing Intensive
July 15 - 19, 2024
Led by Raymond O. Caldwell and Kelsey Mesa
Past Teaching Artists have included Nicole A. Watson, Rhiana Yazzie, Emily Preis, Will Davis, Hannah Wolf, Laura Rikard, Taylor Reynolds, and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi.
The Kennedy Center Directing Intensive brings together a cohort of like-minded early-career directors to create a supportive community and shared learning experience. The Intensive will engage participants in rigorous conversations, practical activities, and master classes.
Making Directorial Choices
During this time together at the Kennedy Center, we will explore effective directorial process and practices in the rehearsal room. How do we prepare to tell a story, lead healthy collaboration onstage and off, and create a thought-provoking world for audiences? Throughout the week, participants will be required to think both creatively and practically about the art of directing and leading a room.
Eligible participants are current university students [undergraduate or graduate] and recent graduates entering the field, as well as early-career directors. Participants should possess a generosity of spirit, dedication to curiosity and learning, and a passion for theatre.
The program will consist of:
. Daily meetings and discussions with the program’s co-directors and cohort on the realities and practicalities of directing, as well as proposals for change and dream for the future of the field;
. Master classes led by guest directors and theatre-makers;
. Opportunities to stage work in collaboration with other directors in the cohort, including time to rehearse, and revision time after an initial round of feedback;
. Practical sessions on text analysis, crafting a director’s vision, stage composition, working with actors, and more.
Schedule
Monday, July 15, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday, July 16, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, July 17, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday, July 18, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (and a possible theatre outing, TBD)
Friday, July 19, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Participants should also expect to have reading and preparation to complete before the start of the program.
TRAVEL & HOTEL
Participants will need to arrange for their own travel to D.C., accommodations, and meals. We will share cohort contact information, so that participants can arrange for shared lodging, if desired.
TUITION: $200*
* Tuition will be invoiced upon acceptance.
To apply, you will need:
1. Short responses to the following questions:
. Who are you and what kind of theatre do you make? (I.e., A bio, but not one focused on your professional and educational accomplishments. One that lets us get to know you, your story, and what’s important.)
. What kind of theatre excites you? What artists do you look up to? What kind of theatre do we need more of?
. What is one big question you have about directing or building a life/career in the arts?
. What are your strengths as a director? What skills would you like to strengthen?
2. A resume of related experience; and
3. Contact information for a mentor director who is willing to serve as a reference.
By: June 15, 2024
For any questions on concerns, please contact Kelsey Mesa, Manager of KCACTF and Theater Education, at KRMesa@kennedy-center.org.
Born in Wiesbaden, Germany and raised all over the world, Raymond O. Caldwell (he/him/his) is an award-winning director and producer. He is the recipient of the 2023 Zelda Fichandler Award. Raymond has directed for Folger Shakespeare Library, Studio Theater, 1st Stage, Round House, Imagination Stage, Mosaic Theater, The Kennedy Center, National Players, Olney Theater Center, SolasNua, CulturalDC, and the Hegira. He spent 7 seasons as artistic director at Theater Alliance of Washington DC. Prior to artistic leadership, he was a faculty member and resident director in Howard University’s Department of Theatre Arts. He also served for 6 seasons as the Community Engagement Partnership Manager at Arena Stage. Raymond is committed to using theatre as a tool to transform communities, and has worked with a number of non-profits and NGOs throughout the world. In partnership with the US Department of State he has worked with NGOs based in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Senegal, Ukraine, and Croatia —developing theatre with artists and activists to promote peace, address gender based violence, and counter violent extremism. MFA, Acting/New Play Development: The Ohio State University; BFA, Acting: University of Florida.
Kelsey Mesa's (she/her/hers) directing credits include Crimes of the Heart at Catholic University, Fefu and Her Friends at the University of Maryland, College Park; The Pavilion, The Magi, and Wish List at the Hub Theatre; and Othello, Antigonick, She Rode Horses Like the Stock Exchange, Riot Grrrls The Trojan Women, Charm, and dREAMtRIPPIN’ at Taffety Punk Theatre Company. She recently directed a reading of Carmen Pelaez’s The Cuban Vote for Folger Theatre’s Reading Room series. She has also directed for The Inkwell, The Source Festival, Rorschach Theatre Company's Klecksography, Young Playwrights' Theatre, the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and Theater Alliance’s Hothouse New Play Development Series. Kelsey is a company member at Taffety Punk Theatre Company, as well as the Manager of KCACTF and Theater Education at the Kennedy Center, where she coordinates the Kennedy Center Directing Intensive. She's an alumna of Directors Lab North. In 2021, Kelsey received the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion, recognizing contribution to the teaching and production of theatre, and to the development of KCACTF. Kelsey grew up in Miami, FL and is a graduate of Northwestern University. Her play, La Salpêtrière, was produced by Taffety Punk Theatre Company and directed by Danielle A. Drakes in October 2023. It’s currently nominated for five Helen Hayes awards, including the Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play.
KC Directing Intensive 2024: Making Directorial Choices
Kennedy Center Directing Intensive
July 15 - 19, 2024
Led by Raymond O. Caldwell and Kelsey Mesa
Past Teaching Artists have included Nicole A. Watson, Rhiana Yazzie, Emily Preis, Will Davis, Hannah Wolf, Laura Rikard, Taylor Reynolds, and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi.
The Kennedy Center Directing Intensive brings together a cohort of like-minded early-career directors to create a supportive community and shared learning experience. The Intensive will engage participants in rigorous conversations, practical activities, and master classes.
Making Directorial Choices
During this time together at the Kennedy Center, we will explore effective directorial process and practices in the rehearsal room. How do we prepare to tell a story, lead healthy collaboration onstage and off, and create a thought-provoking world for audiences? Throughout the week, participants will be required to think both creatively and practically about the art of directing and leading a room.
Eligible participants are current university students [undergraduate or graduate] and recent graduates entering the field, as well as early-career directors. Participants should possess a generosity of spirit, dedication to curiosity and learning, and a passion for theatre.
The program will consist of:
. Daily meetings and discussions with the program’s co-directors and cohort on the realities and practicalities of directing, as well as proposals for change and dream for the future of the field;
. Master classes led by guest directors and theatre-makers;
. Opportunities to stage work in collaboration with other directors in the cohort, including time to rehearse, and revision time after an initial round of feedback;
. Practical sessions on text analysis, crafting a director’s vision, stage composition, working with actors, and more.
Schedule
Monday, July 15, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday, July 16, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, July 17, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday, July 18, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (and a possible theatre outing, TBD)
Friday, July 19, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Participants should also expect to have reading and preparation to complete before the start of the program.
TRAVEL & HOTEL
Participants will need to arrange for their own travel to D.C., accommodations, and meals. We will share cohort contact information, so that participants can arrange for shared lodging, if desired.
TUITION: $200*
* Tuition will be invoiced upon acceptance.
To apply, you will need:
1. Short responses to the following questions:
. Who are you and what kind of theatre do you make? (I.e., A bio, but not one focused on your professional and educational accomplishments. One that lets us get to know you, your story, and what’s important.)
. What kind of theatre excites you? What artists do you look up to? What kind of theatre do we need more of?
. What is one big question you have about directing or building a life/career in the arts?
. What are your strengths as a director? What skills would you like to strengthen?
2. A resume of related experience; and
3. Contact information for a mentor director who is willing to serve as a reference.
By: June 15, 2024
For any questions on concerns, please contact Kelsey Mesa, Manager of KCACTF and Theater Education, at KRMesa@kennedy-center.org.
Born in Wiesbaden, Germany and raised all over the world, Raymond O. Caldwell (he/him/his) is an award-winning director and producer. He is the recipient of the 2023 Zelda Fichandler Award. Raymond has directed for Folger Shakespeare Library, Studio Theater, 1st Stage, Round House, Imagination Stage, Mosaic Theater, The Kennedy Center, National Players, Olney Theater Center, SolasNua, CulturalDC, and the Hegira. He spent 7 seasons as artistic director at Theater Alliance of Washington DC. Prior to artistic leadership, he was a faculty member and resident director in Howard University’s Department of Theatre Arts. He also served for 6 seasons as the Community Engagement Partnership Manager at Arena Stage. Raymond is committed to using theatre as a tool to transform communities, and has worked with a number of non-profits and NGOs throughout the world. In partnership with the US Department of State he has worked with NGOs based in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Senegal, Ukraine, and Croatia —developing theatre with artists and activists to promote peace, address gender based violence, and counter violent extremism. MFA, Acting/New Play Development: The Ohio State University; BFA, Acting: University of Florida.
Kelsey Mesa's (she/her/hers) directing credits include Crimes of the Heart at Catholic University, Fefu and Her Friends at the University of Maryland, College Park; The Pavilion, The Magi, and Wish List at the Hub Theatre; and Othello, Antigonick, She Rode Horses Like the Stock Exchange, Riot Grrrls The Trojan Women, Charm, and dREAMtRIPPIN’ at Taffety Punk Theatre Company. She recently directed a reading of Carmen Pelaez’s The Cuban Vote for Folger Theatre’s Reading Room series. She has also directed for The Inkwell, The Source Festival, Rorschach Theatre Company's Klecksography, Young Playwrights' Theatre, the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and Theater Alliance’s Hothouse New Play Development Series. Kelsey is a company member at Taffety Punk Theatre Company, as well as the Manager of KCACTF and Theater Education at the Kennedy Center, where she coordinates the Kennedy Center Directing Intensive. She's an alumna of Directors Lab North. In 2021, Kelsey received the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion, recognizing contribution to the teaching and production of theatre, and to the development of KCACTF. Kelsey grew up in Miami, FL and is a graduate of Northwestern University. Her play, La Salpêtrière, was produced by Taffety Punk Theatre Company and directed by Danielle A. Drakes in October 2023. It’s currently nominated for five Helen Hayes awards, including the Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play.