The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) announced that director James Blaszko has been named the 2019 Kurt Weill Directing Fellowship recipient and will serve as Assistant Director to John Doyle on his upcoming production of The Cradle Will Rock at Classic Stage Company in New York.
Created in partnership with the Kurt Weill Foundation, the fellowship offers an opportunity for emerging and mid-career directors to serve as assistant director on a stage work of Kurt Weill or Marc Blitzstein. Through these Fellowships, directors will gain first-hand experience with the processes and specific approaches of master artists and thereby expand their own artistry, enrich leadership and collaboration skills, and further their knowledge of directing opera and/or musical theater. In addition, the Fellow will acquire greater understanding of and comfort level with Kurt Weill’s and Marc Blitzstein’s theatrical catalogue and an ability to draw on this in future work. Following the expansion of the fellowship, the application is now open to all SDC members or associate members.
This marks Blaszko’s second opportunity working on a Blitzstein production, having previously served as Assistant Director for Bronx Opera’s 2016 production of Regina.
More information about the Kurt Weill Directing Fellowship is available here.