Laura Penn is the Executive Director of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). She joined SDC after a twenty-five year career in LORT management. While keeping a keen eye on the challenges currently facing directors and choreographers, Ms. Penn has begun forging partnerships with key industry constituents, focusing on improving the Union’s communications capabilities and expanding its reach and scope within the industry.

She is an active member of the Broadway Coalition of Unions and Guilds (COBUG), a member of the Tony Administration Committee and Freehold Studio/Theatre Lab, and a nominator for the Astaire Awards. Ms. Penn continues to serve on the committee for Broadway Salutes and is a founder of this annual event celebrating Broadway artists. She has led negotiations for Broadway and LORT and continues to spearhead challenge-specific initiatives to educate and empower SDC Members and partners within the industry.

Before joining SDC, Laura was the Managing Director of Seattle’s Intiman Theatre for fourteen years. Under her leadership Intiman received the 2006 Regional Theatre Tony Award. She has served as an advocate and catalyst for civic dialogue and community building in the Puget Sound, and she received the “Seattle Distinguished Citizen” Medal from Mayor Paul Schell in 2001. Prior to Intiman, Laura worked at Seattle Repertory Theatre and Arena Stage.