Supporting Emerging Directors

WHAT'S COMING NEXT

Our Vision

The Dennis Whitehead Darling Memorial Fund honors the legacy of an extraordinary director who proved that exceptional talent exists everywhere—it just needs a chance. Dennis's journey to New York theatre exemplified a simple but powerful truth: when emerging artists are given a genuine opportunity to be in the room, they show they belong, and they create work that transforms audiences and enriches the entire field.

Our Commitment

There is remarkable talent everywhere. We seek directors who may not have had access to elite training or industry connections, but who possess the artistry, passion, and perspective to create transformative theatre. Like Dennis, they simply need someone to open the door—to give them the opportunity to show what they can do. We believe the future of theatre is brighter when more voices have that chance.

Our Mission

We support emerging directors in theatre and opera who are creating emotionally engaging and provocative work. Our fund provides financial support to theatres and opera companies that want to give these artists their opportunity. We focus on directors who:

Create work that challenges audiences to see the world from different perspectives
Address issues of marginalization and confront oppression, bigotry, and racism through their art
Demonstrate exceptional talent and vision that deserves to be seen
Believe, as Dennis did, in theatre's innate ability to convey feeling, provide enlightenment, and inspire change