Directing Fellowship

Although many American theaters are led by directors, very few theaters offer new and emerging directors what they need most: an artistic home within which to develop their artistry and learn how professional theaters are run. Without this bridge to the profession, it is extremely difficult for young directors to launch their careers, and for the American theater to cultivate the next generation of leaders. The Rattlestick Theater Directing Fellowship attempts to close this gap by providing crucial rungs on the ladder to a director’s professional success in the NYC theater industry.

In collaboration with the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University, the Rattlestick Directing Fellowship provides an opportunity for one graduate director to have an artistic home at a prominent off-broadway theater where the fellow plays a vital artistic and administrative role. This 12-month fellowship provides a weekly salary, access to Rattlestick resources, a first hand experience with non-profit theater leadership, and an end-of-year event for the Directing Fellow to showcase their work for the industry and general public.

We are pleased to announce the 2025/2026 Directing Fellow Alexis Kulani Woodard

Alexis Kulani Woodard (she/her) is thrilled to be joining Rattlestick Theater as the Directing Fellow! She is a 2024 Princess Grace Award Winner in Theatre and the Associate Artistic Director of Compagnia de' Colombari. 

Select Directing Credits include: The Dark Lady (Synchronicity Theatre), Metamorphoses, SORT, Moe’s a D*ck, Stray Dogs, Measure for Measure (Yale Drama), Every Brilliant Thing (Yale Cabaret), Hamlet (The TINY Theater Company, Alliance Theatre: Guest Artist Series); HANDS UP: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments and Do You Love the Dark?  (Alliance Theatre). Her work on HANDS UP: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments earned the production six Suzi Bass Award Nominations, including Best Direction, and a win for Outstanding Social Justice Production. Her direction of Lungs by Duncan Macmillan was shown at the National University of Theatre and Film “I.L. Caragiale Bucharest” and other venues around Romania. As a Spelman Leadership Fellow at the Alliance Theatre, Alexis served as the Co-Artistic Director of The Alliance’s inaugural 2020–21 Digital Season, where she produced Laugh Track, BackStage Atlanta, Spotlight Studio, and From the Ashes. Alexis also directed From the Ashes, an original adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 which was created in collaboration with the Alliance’s Teen Ensemble. 

She has worked with directors Liz Diamond, Tamilla Woodard, Laurie Woolery, Hana Sharif, Leora Morris, and Khalia Davis. Associate directing credits include A Christmas Carol: The Live Radio Play, Working (Alliance Theatre), and the world premiere tri-production of Dream Hou$e (Alliance Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage). She also has served as assistant director for Escaped Alone (Yale Repertory Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), and A Kids Play About Racism (Bay Area Children’s Theatre). Upcoming: The Notebook, First National Tour (Assistant Director) and Revelation (Compagnia de’ Colombari - Assistant Director). MFA: David Geffen School of Drama at Yale