SDC has also announced the creation of the first Zelda Fichandler Award, which recognizes excellence in regional theatre direction and choreography. The honor will be presented on Dec. 6 in Los Angeles.

Veteran Tony-winning director Hal Prince chairs the evening that includes honorary committee members JoAnne Akalaitis, Edward Albee, Pat Birch, Peter Brook, Arvin Brown, Robert Brustein, James Burrows, Wayne Cilento, Martha Clarke, Hope Clarke, Graciela Daniele, Gordon Davidson, Gemze de Lappe, Carmen de Lavallade, André De Shields, John Dillon, Sheldon Epps, Oskar Eustis, Zelda Fichandler, Michael Greif, Edward Hastings, Nagle Jackson, Michael Kahn, Terry Kinney, Michael Langham, James Lapine, Gillian Lynne, Des McAnuff, Joe Mantello, Rob Marshall, Michael Mayer, Lynne Meadow, Sam Mendes, Jerry Mitchell, Mike Nichols, Trevor Nunn, Jack O'Brien, Austin Pendleton, Ann Reinking, Donald Saddler, Susan Stroman, Julie Taymor, Twyla Tharp, Tommy Tune, Paul Weidner, Stan Wojewodski, Jr., George C. Wolfe, Jerry Zaks and Mary Zimmerman.

Among those scheduled to attend are Bartlett Sher, Joy Abbott, Emanuel Azenberg, Melvin Bernhardt, Walter Bobbie, Mark Brokaw, Joe Calarco, Larry Carpenter, Tisa Chang, Ted Chapin, Lynn Taylor Corbett, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Michael John Garces, Richard Hamburger, Doug Hughes, Moises Kaufman, Nina Lannan, Paul Libin, Des McAnuff, Kevin McCollum, Joey McKneely, Ethan McSweeny, Tom Moore, Amy Morton, Austin Pendleton, Neil Pepe, Lisa Peterson, Lonny Price, Charlotte St. Martin, Susan H. Schulman, Oz Scott, Leigh Silverman and Daniel Sullivan.

SDC annually presents the "Mr. Abbott" Award in lifetime achievement and the Joe A. Callaway Award for direction and choreography of non-Broadway productions in New York.