Thursday, February 5, 2026

Directors Lab West Returns to Pasadena After Wildfire Hiatus

[Directors Lab West via Facebook]

Free eight-day intensive for theater directors accepts applications through March 13 for May program

Directors Lab West, an intensive professional development program for theater directors and choreographers, will return to Pasadena May 30 through June 6 after a one-year hiatus caused by the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.

The eight-day program returns to Pasadena Playhouse and Boston Court Pasadena with a model that addresses what organizers call a fundamental challenge in theater: directors work in isolation. Funded by the Stage Directors & Choreographers Society, the program is free to participants and has produced more than 500 alumni since 2000.

Applications are due March 13 at 5 p.m. Only the first 100 applications will be accepted, and approximately 50 participants will be selected.

“Traditionally, directors and choreographers are artists, but they work alone,” said Ernest Figueroa, who co-founded the program in 2000 and continues to serve on its steering committee. “To share an exchange is not something as part of our process. So what Directors Lab West has done for the last 22 or 23 years is focus on where these directors and choreographers [can be] together and talk about the process and what challenges they face.”

The 2025 program was canceled as the January wildfires burned across Los Angeles County. The fires, which occurred January 7-31, included the Palisades Fire, which destroyed 6,837 structures across more than 23,000 acres.

The program’s return marks a resumption of significant cultural programming at both Pasadena venues. Pasadena Playhouse, which received the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award, purchased its historic building in April 2025 for $9.5 million — the first time the theater has owned the property since a 1970 bankruptcy. Boston Court Pasadena has twice received the National Theatre Company Award from the American Theatre Wing.

Daily sessions run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the week and include workshops with master theater artists, lectures, panel discussions, roundtables, and collaborative artistic explorations.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Directors Lab West,” said Danny Feldman, producing artistic director of Pasadena Playhouse. “The annual gathering of directors creates a strong sense of community and professional development opportunities for theater artists, two things we are very passionate about here at the Playhouse.”

The program accepts emerging and mid-career directors and choreographers with professional experience. It is not open to current students or those planning to return to school. A degree is not required.

While participation is free, attendees must cover their own lodging, meals, transportation and parking. Performance tickets to Los Angeles-area theater productions are available at reduced rates, though attendance is not mandatory.

The program was founded by five alumni of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab and has been hosted by Pasadena Playhouse and Boston Court since 2002. Anne Cattaneo, dramaturg of Lincoln Center Theater and creator of that program, serves as honorary chair.

Besides the 2025 wildfire hiatus, Directors Lab West was on hiatus from 2020 through 2022 during the pandemic. It relaunched in May 2023.

The online application at directorslabwest.com plus resume submission by email to directorslabwest@gmail.com.