Though stage directing has traditionally been a male-dominated profession, the number of women directors in the United States has grown significantly in recent years.

In this work, 35 contemporary women stage directors, with regional, national and international theater backgrounds, share their views on the creative process and the influences of gender on their artistic decision making. How does it feel to be defined as a woman director rather than simply a director? Does gender affect their authority? These questions and many others are explored in this study.

“extensive and scholarly...recommended as an excellent and valuable addition to theater and women’s studies collections”—Library Journal; “the directors are well chosen for their ability to examine their experiences in the theater. Recommended for all academic and professional libraries”—Choice; “quite thorough...fascinating and informative”—Theatre Journal.

Rebecca Daniels was one of the founding members of the Artists Repertory Theatre in Portland, Oregon. She is currently an associate professor in the department of Performance and Communication Arts at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.