Of the 39 productions that opened on Broadway in 2008, just three were directed by women. This season that number doubles to six. Off-Broadway, another eight productions will be helmed by women this year — a new record. Of course, it goes without saying that gender shouldn't be a factor when choosing a director. But the historical reality hasn’t quite lived up to that principle. It wasn’t until 1998, after all, that Julie Taymor and Garry Hynes broke through to become the first women to win Tony Awards for Best Director — the former for “The Lion King” and the latter for “The Beauty Queen of Leenane.” Today, however, female directors are shaping the stage like never before, their contributions defining some of theater's most acclaimed and high-profile productions. In a nod to the new (and welcome) reality, ARTINFO has created a list of 12 American female directors who are infusing Broadway (and off-Broadway) with a bracing new vitality. 

To see our list of 12 female directors who are reshaping American theater, click through the slideshow.