SCHAEFFER, Eric D. 1964(?)–

PERSONAL

Born c. 1964. Education: Kutztown University, B.F.A.; also studied at Crewe and Alsager College of Visual Arts.

Addresses: Office—Signature Theatre Company, 3806 South Four Mile Run, Arlington, VA 22206.

Career: Director. Signature Theatre Company, Arlington, VA, artistic director and cofounder; The Sondheim Celebration, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC, artistic director, 2002–03; Theatrical Group of North America for Clear Channel Entertainment, creative director.

Awards, Honors: Helen Hayes Award, outstanding director of a resident production, 1992, for Sweeney Todd; Helen Hayes Award, outstanding director of a resident production, 1993, for Assassins; Helen Hayes Award, outstanding director of a resident production, 1997, for Passion; Helen Hayes Award nomination, outstanding director of a resident musical, 1997, for The Rink; Washingtonian of the Year, 2002; Helen Hayes Award nominations, outstanding director—resident musical, 2003, for The Gospel According to Fishman and Sunday in the Park with George; Elizabeth Campbell Award for the Arts in Arlington; Arlington School Board Honored Citizen; Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award; Professional Mentor Prize, Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

CREDITS

Stage Director:

Assassins, Theatretown, Gunston Arts Center, Arlington, VA, 1992.

Cabaret, Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA, 1995.

Passion, Signature Theatre, 1996.

Sunday in the Park with George, Arena Stage, Washington, DC, 1997.

Sweet Adeline, City Center Theatre, New York City, 1997.

A Little Night Music, Signature Theatre, 1997.

The Rhythm Club, Oriental Theatre, Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Chicago, IL, 1998–1999.

Putting It Together, Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, 1998, then Ethel Barrymore Theatre, New York City, 1999–2000.

Witches of Eastwick, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, 2000, then Prince of Wales Theatre, London, 2001.

The Rhythm Club, Signature Theatre, 2000.

The Gospel According to Fishman, Signature Theatre, 2002.

Passion, Eisenhower Theatre, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC, 2002.

Sunday in the Park with George, Eisenhower Theatre, 2002.

Sweeney Todd, Eisenhower Theatre, 2002.

110 in the Shade, Signature Theatre, 2003.

Follies, Signature Theatre, 2003.

The Christmas Carol Rag, Signature Theatre, 2003.

Twentieth Century, Signature Theatre, 2003.

Allegro, Signature Theatre, 2004.

One Red Flower, Signature Theatre, 2004.

The Highest Yellow, Signature Theatre, 2004.

Pacific Overtures, Signature Theatre, 2005.

Also directed Gypsy, Grand Hotel, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Over & Over, You're Going to Love Tomorrow: A Stephen Sondheim Evening, The Fix, Working, Taking My Life in Your Hands, Wings, Poor Superman, Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love, Into the Woods, and First Lady Suite, all Signature Theatre; Company; The Rink; Great American Musicals, New York City; Mack & Mabel, Company, and The Rink, all Signature at the Park, Lubber Run Amphitheatre, Arlington, VA; Elmer Gantry, Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, Chicago, IL; Signature Sings Sondheim, Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre.

Major Tours; as Director:

Big, U.S. cities, 1997–1998.

Also directed Putting It Together.

OTHER SOURCES

Periodicals:

Sondheim Review, fall, 2001.