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Julie Taymor

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BIO

Taymor is an American director and writer of theater, opera and film. Her stage adaptation of The Lion King debuted in 1997, and received eleven Tony Award nominations, with Taymor receiving Tony Awards for Best Director and Costume Designer. Her film Frida, about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, was nominated for five Academy Awards, including a Best Original Song nomination for Taymor's composition "Burn It Blue". She also directed the jukebox musical Across the Universe.

Photos

Productions

The Lion King West EndThe Lion King West End
 
[West End, 2021]
Director
Costume Designer
Puppet Designer
Mask Designer
M. ButterflyM. Butterfly
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
GroundedGrounded
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Director
Spider-Man Turn Off the DarkSpider-Man Turn Off the Dark
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Director
Mask Designer
Spider-Man
 
[New York, 2007]
Director
Scenery/Costumes
Pinocchio
 
[New York, 2005]
Director
The Lion KingThe Lion King
 
[US Tour, 2002]
Mask Co-Designer
Puppet Co-Designer
Lyricist
Costume Designer
Director
The Green Bird
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Puppets/Masks
Director
Puppet Designer
Mask Designer
The Lion KingThe Lion King
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Costume Designer
Director
Mask Designer
Puppet Designer
Juan Darién
 
[Broadway, 1996]
Puppet Designer
Costume Designer
Mask Designer
Director
Scenic Designer
The Green Bird
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Designer
Director
Juan Darien
 
[Off-Broadway, 1989]
Costume Designer
Scenic Designer
Puppet and Mask Designer
Director
Director
The Transposed Heads
 
[Off-Broadway, 1986]
Director
The Transposed Heads
 
[Off-Broadway, 1986]
Director
The Transposed Heads
 
[Off-Broadway, 1986]
Choreographer
The Transposed Heads
 
[Off-Broadway, 1986]
Puppet and Mask Designer
The Transposed Heads
 
[Off-Broadway, 1986]
Puppets/Masks
The Transposed Heads
 
[Off-Broadway, 1986]
Choreographer
Do Lord Remember Me
 
[Off-Broadway, 1984]
Scenic Designer
Do Lord Remember Me
 
[Off-Broadway, 1982]
Scenic Designer
The Haggadah, a Passover Cantata
 
[Off-Broadway, 1981]
Costume Designer
Scenic Designer
Puppet and Mask Designer
Black Elk Lives
 
[Off-Broadway, 1981]
Scenic Designer
Puppet Designer
Mask Designer
The Haggadah, a Passover Cantata
 
[Off-Broadway, 1980]
Scenic Designer
Puppet and Mask Designer
Costume Designer
The Haggadah
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Scenery/Costumes/Puppets/Masks

Writing

Juan Darien
Bookwriter
Juan Darien
Conceiver
Juan Darién
Bookwriter
The Lion King
Composer
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Julie Taymor, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Julie Taymor, A Midsummer Night's Dream


winner
Olivier Awards - 2000 - Best Costume Designer

Julie Taymor, The Lion King

Olivier Awards - 2000 - Best Director

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Costume Design

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Puppet Design

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
Drama League Awards - 1998 - Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre

Julie Taymor


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Costume Design

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Director - Musical

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1998 - Costume Design

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1998 - Noteworthy/Unusual Effects Design

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Costume Design

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Direction of a Musical

Julie Taymor, The Lion King

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Costume Design

Julie Taymor, The Lion King

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Costume Design

Julie TaymorJuan Darient: A Carnival Mass


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Julie Taymor, The Lion King


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Puppet Design

Julie Taymor, The Lion King

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Set Design - Musical

Julie TaymorJuan Darient: A Carnival Mass

Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Direction of a Musical

Julie Taymor, Juan Darien

Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Scenic Design

Julie Taymor, Juan Darien

Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Costume Design

Julie Taymor, The Tempest

Tony Awards - 1989 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Scott Wentworth, Welcome to the Club


winner
Obie Awards - 1988 - Direction

Julie TaymorJuan Darien


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1988 - Concept Pupperty and Masks

Julie Taymor, Juan Darien


winner
Obie Awards - 1985 - Special Citations

Julie Taymor


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1980 - Scenic, Costume and Puppet Design

Julie Taymor, The Haggadah

Videos

More Videos

News


SUZY EDDIE IZZARD TALKS SHAKESPEEARE N'STUFF [FORSOOTH] is Coming to Chicago Shakespe Photo
SUZY EDDIE IZZARD TALKS SHAKESPEEARE N'STUFF [FORSOOTH] is Coming to Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 3, 2025

Chicago Shakespeare Theater will present a one-night-only benefit event: Suzy Eddie Izzard Talks Shakespeare N’Stuff [Forsooth] in January in The Yard.
Review: THE OUTSIDERS National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center Photo
Review: THE OUTSIDERS National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center
by Jeffrey Kare - Dec 3, 2025

Based on S. E. Hinton’s 1967 novel of the same name as well as Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film adaptation. The Outsiders is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the 1960s. The story follows Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade, and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ as they battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. Together, the Greasers fight for survival and a quest for purpose in a world that doesn't accept them.
Tickets For Disney’s THE LION KING Go On Sale In Grand Rapids On November 24 Photo
Tickets For Disney’s THE LION KING Go On Sale In Grand Rapids On November 24
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 25, 2025

Broadway Grand Rapids and Disney Theatrical Group will place tickets on sale for THE LION KING’s return to DeVos Performance Hall beginning November 24 at noon.
Eddie Izzard to Bring SHAKESPEARE'S HAMLET To Los Angeles Photo
Eddie Izzard to Bring SHAKESPEARE'S HAMLET To Los Angeles
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2025

Tony Award-nominated Eddie Izzard will bring Shakespeare's Hamlet to life in a dynamic new staging of the iconic play, adapted by Mark Izzard and directed by Selina Cadell, in Los Angeles.
THE LION KING to Return to Seattle at The Paramount Theatre Photo
THE LION KING to Return to Seattle at The Paramount Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2025

Disney’s The Lion King is coming to The Paramount Theatre stage.
Samira Wiley and Jin Ha Join the Cast of PROOF on Broadway Photo
Samira Wiley and Jin Ha Join the Cast of PROOF on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025

Emmy Award and SAG Award winner Samira Wiley will make her Broadway debut this spring with Grammy Award nominee Jin Ha, in the first ever Broadway revival of David Auburn’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof.
Tickets for Disney’s THE LION KING at Providence Performing Arts Center Go On Sale Photo
Tickets for Disney’s THE LION KING at Providence Performing Arts Center Go On Sale November 14
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 4, 2025

Tickets for the long-awaited return of Disney’s The Lion King at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) will go on sale Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Interview: Jon Viktor Corpuz of A DRIVING BEAT at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Photo
Interview: Jon Viktor Corpuz of A DRIVING BEAT at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
by Jim Munson - Oct 28, 2025

BroadwayWorld talks to Jon Viktor Corpuz, star of Jordan Ramirez Puckett's 'A Driving Beat' in its world premiere at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley October 29 to November 23 in Mountain View.
Bartlett Sher to Receive 2026 SDC Foundation 'Mr. Abbott' Award Photo
Bartlett Sher to Receive 2026 SDC Foundation 'Mr. Abbott' Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2025

Bartlett Sher will be honored with Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation's “Mr. Abbott” Award, given to a director or choreographer in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Broadway.
Experience Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago at Cadillac Palace Photo
Experience Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago at Cadillac Palace
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2025

Disney's THE LION KING runs at Cadillac Palace Theatre until October 19. Get ticket info and details about this must-see Chicago show!
Video: THE LION KING Celebrates 11,000 Performances on Broadway Photo
Video: THE LION KING Celebrates 11,000 Performances on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 23, 2025

The Lion King celebrated its 11,000th performance on Broadway over the weekend at the matinee on Saturday, September 20th. See footage here and learn more about The Lion King.
A DRIVING BEAT World Premiere to Open at TheatreWorks This Fall Photo
A DRIVING BEAT World Premiere to Open at TheatreWorks This Fall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 18, 2025

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will debut Jordan Ramirez Puckett’s A Driving Beat in a rolling World Premiere with Flint Repertory Theatre. Learn more about the production here!
L'Alliance New York and New York Live Arts Will Bring Wanjiru Kamuyu's FRAGMENTED SHA Photo
L'Alliance New York and New York Live Arts Will Bring Wanjiru Kamuyu's FRAGMENTED SHADOWS To Stage
by Emmy Rice - Sep 6, 2025

L'Alliance New York will present Wanjiru Kamuyu's Fragmented Shadows from October 15-17, 2025 at 7:30pm at New York Live Arts, 219 W 19th Street New York, NY 10011.
Canadian duo Creepy Boys win big at Edinburgh Fringe Photo
Canadian duo Creepy Boys win big at Edinburgh Fringe
by Emmy Rice - Sep 6, 2025

Canadian alt-comedy/queer theatre duo Creepy Boys (Sam Kruger & S.E. Grummett) hit it big this month at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Their new show SLUGS, a comedy-music-clown-puppet nightmare, was nominated for Best Comedy Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, often called the “Oscars of Comedy”.
McCallum Theatre Reveals 2025 Palm Desert Choreography Festival Award Recipients Photo
McCallum Theatre Reveals 2025 Palm Desert Choreography Festival Award Recipients
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 4, 2025

The McCallum Theatre has shared the names of Palm Desert Choreography Festival's Finalists and Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient for the Coachella Valley's signature annual event.
Jacob Ming-Trent Joins MERRY WIVES at Shakespeare Theatre Company Photo
Jacob Ming-Trent Joins MERRY WIVES at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Michael Major - Sep 3, 2025

Lance Coadie Williams, originally announced as Falstaff in Merry Wives, will no longer appear in the show. Trent's Broadway credits include the Gypsy revival with Audra MacoDnald, Shrek the Musical,  and Hands on a Hardbody.
Cast Announced for Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago Photo
Cast Announced for Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago
by Michael Major - Sep 3, 2025

The production features Peter Hargrave (Scar), David D’Lancy Wilson (Mufasa), Mukelisiwe Goba (Rafiki), Robert Creighton (Timon), Nick LaMedica (Zazu), Danny Grumich (Pumbaa), Gilbert Domally (Simba), and more.
Video: THE LION KING's Tshidi Manye Takes Her Historic Final Bow as 'Rafiki' Photo
Video: THE LION KING's Tshidi Manye Takes Her Historic Final Bow as 'Rafiki'
by Michael Major - Sep 3, 2025

Watch a video of Tshidi Manye, who played Rafiki in Disney's THE LION KING on Broadway for over 9,000 performances, take her final bow on Sunday after being a part of the production for 25 years.
Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi Returns to THE LION KING as Rafiki Photo
Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi Returns to THE LION KING as Rafiki
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2025

The Lion King is welcoming Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi back as Rafiki beginning September 2. Pitjeng-Molebatsi stepped into the role temporarily earlier this year and is now taking it over officially following the final performance of longtime cast member Tshidi Manye.
Review: Disney’s THE LION KING Brings the Circle of Life to Vancouver Photo
Review: Disney’s THE LION KING Brings the Circle of Life to Vancouver
by Alyson Eng - Aug 31, 2025

Disney’s The Lion King musical is playing in Vancouver, BC for a limited four-week engagement at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from August 20 to September 14.
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Julie Taymor written?

Julie Taymor has written 6 shows including The Transposed Heads (Bookwriter), The Transposed Heads (Bookwriter), Juan Darien (Bookwriter), Juan Darién (Bookwriter), The Lion King (Composer), Spider-Man (Bookwriter).

What awards has Julie Taymor been nominated for?

Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Midsummer Night's Dream, Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Midsummer Night's Dream, Best Costume Designer (Olivier Awards) for The Lion King, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Puppet Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lion King, Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Best Costume Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lion King , Best Director - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lion King , Costume Design (The Hewes Awards) for The Lion King, Noteworthy/Unusual Effects Design (The Hewes Awards) for The Lion King, Best Costume Design (Tony Awards) for The Lion King, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Lion King, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lion King , Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Juan Darient: A Carnival Mass, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Puppet Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Set Design - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Juan Darient: A Carnival Mass, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Juan Darien, Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for Juan Darien, Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Tempest, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Welcome to the Club, Direction (Obie Awards) for Juan Darien, Concept Pupperty and Masks (The Hewes Awards) for Juan Darien, Special Citations (Obie Awards) and Scenic, Costume and Puppet Design (The Hewes Awards) for The Haggadah.

What awards has Julie Taymor won?

Julie Taymor has received numerous awards for her work, especially for The Lion King. Her accolades include Best Costume Designer at the Olivier Awards and Outstanding Costume Design at the Drama Desk Awards for The Lion King. She also won Outstanding Director - Musical and Outstanding Puppet Design at the Drama Desk Awards for the same show. Additionally, Taymor earned Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards. Her costume and directing work on The Lion King were further recognized with Best Costume Design and Best Director - Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as Costume Design and Noteworthy/Unusual Effects Design at The Hewes Awards. She received Tony Awards for Best Costume Design and Best Direction of a Musical for The Lion King. Taymor's work on Juan Darien earned her Direction at the Obie Awards and Concept Puppetry and Masks at The Hewes Awards. She was also honored with Special Citations from the Obie Awards and Scenic, Costume, and Puppet Design awards from The Hewes Awards for The Haggadah.

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