Former Hartford Stage artistic director Mark Lamos, due to direct Tiny Alice at OB's Second Stage Theatre this season and four operas at New York City Opera, will be the subject of a Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) interview program on June 14.

Conducted by SDCF executive director David Diamond, this latest in a popular series of interviews begins with a one-on-one discussion and will be followed by a question and answer period with the audience.

In the past, Diamond has interviewed Hal Prince, Jerry Zaks, Susan Stroman and Joe Dowling to name a few. His interviews are later published, in whole or in part in the Journal for Stage Directors and Choreographers, his organization's biannual publication. Copies are available either by subscription or from Applause Books or Drama Books.

"The tenor of the interviews has to do with artistic development and the creative process," Diamond has previously told Playbill On-Line. "That's what I try to get to after filling in a little of their background."

"The people that are the most successful," Diamond suggested, "have a strong creative urge. If they feel the need to do this more than anything, then they're going to be directors or choreographers whether someone hires them or not." The SDCF executive cited examples of theatre success stories that could be traced to an indomitable creative drive, including director choreographer Susan Stroman who teamed with Scott Ellis to do a musical revue of Kander and Ebb songs when she found no one would give her work. Diamond said that revue, And the World Goes Round, really put her on the map as a choreographer.

Members of the theatre community and theatre aficionados alike are welcome at the discussion, which takes place June 14 at 5:30 PM at the SDCF's office at 1501 Broadway, Suite 1701. Tickets are $10 for members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, or $15 for non- members. Reservations (recommended) can be made at (212) 302-5359.

-- By David Lefkowitz
and Murdoch McBride