Theater fans and the Broadway community are eagerly anticipating the upcoming 2023 Drama League Gala, an annual event that celebrates early-career theater directors. Presiding over this year's gala is the Drama League Board President Bonnie Comley and chair Mary Jain; it promises to be a dazzling testament to the work of The Drama League based on the talent lining up to pay tribute to honoree Jeffrey Richards.

Recently rebranded “Embrace The Season” by Executive Director Bevin Ross, the gala will feature performances from Broadway stars, including Tony and Drama League Award Winner Annaleigh Ashford (currently in Sweeney Todd), Lindsay Mendez (Merrily We Roll Along), Andrew Durand (Shucked); Betsy Aidem (Prayer for the French Republic); extraordinary glimpses into the upcoming Broadway musicals How To Dance In Ohio and Water For Elephants, the latter featuring the award-winning composer/band PigPen Theatre Co. The evening also includes a lineup of tributes to Jeffrey Richards, from Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus, Tony Award Winner Danny Burstein (Moulin Rouge, Fiddler on the Roof), and Tony nominees Norm Lewis (The Gershwins Porgy and Bess) and Jessica Hecht (Summer 1976, Fiddler on the Roof), and some surprise guests. Long-time Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian Shanks will produce the gala directed by Sheryl Kaller and Ben Villegas Randle.

The Drama League, a non-profit organization founded in 1916, is dedicated to advancing the theater and fostering a vibrant and diverse community of theater artists and enthusiasts. The Drama League opens doors for exceptional stage directors by providing time, resources, and space to work without restriction while augmenting skills through personalized training, production opportunities, and professional development. The Drama League advances the American theater by providing a lifelong artistic home for directors and a platform for dialogue with and between audiences and industry professionals.

The 2023 Gala will celebrate the contributions of the esteemed theater producer Jeffrey Richards. Richards, known for his exceptional work in bringing countless productions to the stage, will be honored as the November 2023 honoree, and we look forward to celebrating his remarkable career. Currently represented on Broadway with the critically acclaimed revival of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, Mr. Richards is celebrating five decades as a producer and publicist. His efforts have advocated for historically marginalized artists, forward-thinking new productions, and celebrated reimaginings, including The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Sunday in the Park with George, Fiddler on the Roof, All The Way, Glengarry Glen Ross, Chinglish, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and many more. He has employed many of America's most noteworthy directors for these projects, including Drama League Directors Project alumni Alex Timbers, Diane Paulus, Sam Gold, Pam MacKinnon, Ari Edelson, and Michael Mayer.

Beyond the glitz and glamour, the 2023 Drama League Gala will raise awareness and funds for the organization's vital programs. The Drama League is committed to supporting emerging theater artists and fostering the next generation of directing talent. Theater audiences and philanthropists are eager to participate in the gala's fundraising efforts, directly contributing to the organization's educational initiatives, including workshops, mentorship programs, and scholarships for aspiring theater professionals.

The work's success is evident through the awards and accolades of its Directors Project alums, who have directed a third of all Broadway shows for the past decade. Additionally, Drama League Directors have received 22 Tony Award Nominations and nine Tony Award Wins, 20 Obie Awards, and multiple Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe, Peabody, Jefferson, Drama-Logue, Helen Hayes, NAACP, GLAAD, and Princess Grace Nominations and Awards, among other honors. Over 100 alumni are Artistic Leaders of theaters and production companies across the United States, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Collectively directing approximately 1,000 productions each season, Drama League Directors work in every aspect of the arts and entertainment industries. They have transformed, entertained, and inspired millions around the world.

Embrace The Season is chaired by Mary Jain, with significant underwriting from Bob Boyett/RB Theatricals, BroadwayHD, Susan Edelstein Productions, and additional support from 101 Productions, Caiola Productions, John Gore Organization, and The Nederlander Organization.

The Drama League Board of Directors Executive Committee is Bonnie Comley (President); Joseph Pizza and Arthur Pober (Vice Presidents); Townsend Teague (Treasurer); Irene Gandy (Secretary); Gabriel Stelian-Shanks (Artistic Director); and Bevin Ross (Executive Director). Completing the Drama League Board of Directors are Elena Araoz, Tony Benten, Trish Chambers, Estefanía Fadul, Sarah Hutton, Kirk Iwanowski, Una Jackman, Mary Jain, Paula Kaminsky Davis, Jonathan Lonner, Gwynn MacDonald, Stan Ponte, Nicole A. Watson, and Kumiko Yoshii.

For tickets to the November 13, 2023, EMBRACE THE SEASON Gala, www.dramaleague.org, call 212-625-1025, or email [email protected]. The suggested dress for the Gala event is festive cocktail attire; black tie is optional.