Ian Coulter-Buford

According to his grandmother, at a young age Ian Coulter-Buford boldly declared to his family, “I AM A STAR!”—a statement that would set the course for a life in motion. He first discovered his voice at the age of five, singing his first solo during the Christmas concert at The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois, while attending Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School. From that moment, the path was clear.

A native of St. Louis and now based in New York City, Ian has emerged as a dynamic actor–choreographer, creative producer, and recording artist whose work spans stage, screen, and sound. Select performance credits include Hadestown (1st National Tour, Hermes u/s), Joe Iconis’ Broadway Bounty Hunter (Off-Broadway), and A Christmas Carol at the historic McCarter Theatre. He earned a Henry Award nomination for his portrayal of Archie Stone in Trav’lin’ and received recognition for Outstanding Achievement of an Artistic Specialty for 42nd Street at Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

As a choreographer, his work has been featured internationally in London’s The Rose Room, the viral NYC hit Golem Owned A Tropical Smoothie, Off-Broadway’s Camp Morning Wood (Playwrights Horizons), and Escape to Margaritaville at Theatre SilCo. Ian also serves as the creative producer and host of The Choreo Corner, a podcast spotlighting the stories behind the steps (@thechoreocorner).

When he’s not on stage or in the studio, Ian steps into his electro-R&B persona PALAWN, blending soulful vocals with immersive soundscapes—available for listen on all streaming platforms.

In every role he takes on, Ian continues to prove what that five-year-old already knew: he is, and always will be, a star.