Intellectual Property

In 1996, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation and the Drama League co-sponsored a discussion with then SDC Executive Director Barbara Hauptman, SDC Attorney Ron Shechtman, and director Pamela Berlin moderated by David Diamond about protection of intellectual property rights for stage directors. Through personal anecdotes regarding the controversial productions of "Love! Valour! Compassion!" originally directed by Joe Mantello and "The Most Happy Fella" directed by Gerald Gutierrez which set the precedent for future legal battles, the conversation illustrates the extent to which the work of a director can be protected, the methods by which the accused theaters came about the original material, the playwright’s perspective on the intellectual property of a director in their own work, and the ways in which a director can protect themselves. Detailed, colorful and extremely informative, this conversation goes far beyond what the internet provides and provides valuable insight into an enduring, controversial issue for any director of new theatrical work.