To look for examples of what this group is producing, just check the Broadway and Off-Broadway listings. The Rocky Horror Show, The Dinner Party, Old Money and The Donkey Show were all directed by alumni of The Drama League's Directors Project. (Respectively: Christopher Ashley, John Rando, Mark Brokaw and Diane Paulus.) If that's not enough, then add two-time Tony-nominated Michael Mayer (A View From the Bridge, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown) to the bunch.

All of the aforementioned took part in the program's festival of one-acts called Directorfest. This year, four new directors took part in the 17th annual presentation at New York City's HERE Dec. 9-12 in the hopes that they will one day be part of the notable names "on the boards."

This year's lineup includes Damon Kiely, Mahayana Landowne, Katie Pearl and Rebecca Bayla Taichman. Kiely directs Harold Pinter's The Basement, Landowne will helm Caryl Churchill's Seagulls, Pearl takes on Jacquelyn Reingold's Tunnel of Love, and Taichman heads up her own co-creation with Bill Bowers, 'Night Sweetheart, 'Night Buttercup.

The creative team for the production are Luke Hegel-Cantarella with scenic design, Marcus Doshi with lighting and Sara Jean Tosetti with costumes. David Lawson handles sound design for 'Night while Guy Sherman designs the other three. Stormy Brandenberger provides choreography.

All four Directorfest pieces will be presented at each performance at HERE, 145 Avenue of the Americas (between Spring and Broome Streets). For reservations, call (212) 647-0202 or visit www.here.org. For further information on the Drama League and its programs, visit www.dramaleague.org. — by Ernio Hernandez