Alumna Pirronne Yousefzadeh ’09 was named a finalist for the 2020 Zelda Fichandler Award, an award which recognizes directors and choreographers who have demonstrated great accomplishment to-date with singular creativity and deep investment in a particular community. The Zelda Fichandler Award was established in 2009 by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. The Zelda Fichandler Award is SDCF’s first award devoted to the regional theatre.
Yousefzadeh was nominated for her lasting and continuing efforts in creating unique and exceptional contributions to the theatre in the upstate greater finger lakes region of New York. Nominations are selected from SDC union members in good standing, who primarily work in regional theatre of one particular area. Yousefzadeh’s significant work with Geva Theatre Center, Hangar Theatre, and the local community earned her a nomination for the 2020 Zelda Fichandler Award.
Pirronne Yousefzadeh is a director, writer, co-founder of Maia Directors, and the Associate Artistic Director and Director of Engagement at Geva Theatre Center. She has a passion for new work that centers and uplifts the stories of global majority communities and has developed and directed work extensively regionally and in New York City. Yousefzadeh is a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop, New Georges Affiliated Artist, member of EST and Wingspace, and an alumna of the 2050 Fellowship at NYTW, Sagal Fellowship at Williamstown Theatre Festival, SDCF Denham Fellowship, Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, New Georges Jam, and Drama League Directors Project.
The winner was announced earlier this week. The 2020 Zelda Fichandler Award will be presented to Kamilah Forbes, executive producer of the Apollo Theater in New York City, at a virtual ceremony. The date of the virtual ceremony will be announced by SDCF soon.