Bartlett Sher will be honored with the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation’s (SDCF) 2026 “Mr. Abbott” Award. SDCF is the philanthropic arm of the union that represents professional directors and choreographers working in theater throughout the United States. The award acknowledges outstanding contributions to Broadway by a director or choreographer. Sher will be feted at SDCF’s gala on March 23, 2026, at New York City’s Gotham Hall.
Sher’s career as a Broadway director spans two decades. Sher is one of only eight individuals to have received nine or more Tony Award nominations for directing (the others being Scott Ellis, Peter Hall, Mike Nichols, Trevor Nunn, Harold Prince, George C. Wolfe and 2025 “Mr. Abbott” Award recipient Jack O’Brien). Sher took home the 2008 Best Direction of a Musical Tony Award for his work helming the Lincoln Center Theater (LCT) revival of “South Pacific,” and received additional nods for directing “The Light in the Piazza,” “Awake and Sing!” “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” “Golden Boy, “The King and I,” “Oslo,” “My Fair Lady” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.” In July, Sher assumed the position of executive producer of LCT, following several years as the nonprofit’s resident director.
“As an artist, Bart has forged an iconic career, one deserving of our deepest admiration; however, it’s his career-spanning dedication to mentorship that fully embodies the mission of SDC Foundation and makes him an ideal recipient for this prestigious honor,” said SDC executive board member and Tony-nominated director Leigh Silverman in a statement. “His leadership has spanned impressive tenures at Intiman Theatre and Lincoln Center Theater, all while creating work spanning across the country and on Broadway. We look forward to celebrating the magnitude of his impressive achievements and his steady commitment to uplifting the next generation of directors.”
“He is an artist of great significance who is sufficiently confident in his talent that he willingly shares what he knows with others,” added gala co-chair Joseph Haj. It’s rare and it’s generous and I am among many who are grateful for it. It’s a joy now to see him recognized with the ‘Mr. Abbott’ Award in recognition of his accomplishments.”
The award is named for George Abbott, whose career as not just a Tony-winning director but also writer and performer encompassed eight decades.
Co-chairing the “Mr. Abbott” Award committee are Ida Cole, Haj, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Howard Panter, Marc Platt and Jeffrey Richards. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the programs of SDCF.
