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Sean Mayes

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BIO


Born in Toronto and based out of New York City, Sean Mayes enjoys an active and varied career internationally as a conductor, music director, orchestrator, arranger, composer, author, and educator across North America and Europe, with his work spanning numerous musical styles through some of the world’s largest theatres and concert halls, moving between Broadway, theatre, opera, classical and pops.

In New York, Mayes shares his time as conductor for two Tony Award-winning Broadway productions, the new MJ: THE MUSICAL and HADESTOWN. At home in Canada, Mayes was Music Director and Conductor of the all-Canadian premiere of THE COLOR PURPLE in 2019, for which he was awarded the Merritt Award for Outstanding Musical Direction.

Internationally, he served as Musical Supervisor of the Finnish premiere of COME FROM AWAY. In Fall 2022, Mayes served as Music Director and Conductor of the new musical MANDELA, inspired by the life of Nelson Mandela and co-produced by the Mandela family for production at the Young Vic Theatre in London, UK.

As an orchestrator and arranger, Mayes’ work has been performed by ensembles ranging in style from pops to classical to opera across North America and Europe. Mayes was Music Director, Orchestrator and Arranger for An Evening With André De Shields with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 2021. He is also Music Director for André De Shields.

Outside of musical theatre, Mayes is Composer & Musical Supervisor of Fall On Your Knees, the stage adaptation of the best-selling Canadian novel, having recently toured Canada’s largest theatres through Canadian Stage (Toronto), Neptune Theatre (Halifax), National Arts Centre (Ottawa), and the Grand Theatre (London). He is also Composer for the Stratford Festival’s Mainstage production of King Lear during the 2023 season, and recently served as Music Supervisor of Black HERSTORY; an all immersive two-day joint event with AFROPUNK at Lincoln Center featuring an immense line of Black musical talent.

As an author, Mayes’ leading writing and scholarship is uniquely attuned to the ongoing conversation of unpacking systemic issues surrounding representation in theatre and arts. He is a published author on the role of Black music directors and disproportionately represented artists on Broadway (Reframing the Musical), and on the retracing of Black practitioners through British musical theatre history in An Inconvenient Black History of British Musical Theatre, which was celebrated for release in concert at Wigmore Hall, London, in 2021. His anticipated text, Conversations in Color: Exploring North American Musical Theatre, will be published in late 2023 through Methuen Drama, Bloomsbury Publishing.

Mayes holds degrees in music, education, and music direction from McGill University and the University of Surrey.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Original London Production, 1977
Performer


Productions

 
[West End, 2022]
Musical Director

News


Nominations Announced For The 2025 Dora Mavor Moore Awards
by Joshua Wright - May 28, 2025

The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) has announced nominations for the 45th Anniversary Dora Mavor Moore Awards presented by the Romano D’Andrea Foundation. The Awards will be presented on Monday, June 30 at Toronto’s Meridian Hall.
'The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration' Concert Tour Coming This Fall
by Josh Sharpe - May 19, 2025

The Estate of Whitney E. Houston has announced the upcoming The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration North America Fall tour, kicking off with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
THE LION KING Will Conclude Toronto Run in August
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2025

Toronto’s production of Disney’s The Lion King – now in its 29th week – will conclude its run on August 30 at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Learn more here!
DISNEY'S THE LION KING To Conclude Toronto Run In August
by A.A. Cristi - May 13, 2025

Toronto's production of Disney's The Lion King – now in its 29th week – will conclude its run on August 30 at the Princess of Wales Theatre. By that date, the show will have played 345 performances to an audience of over 250,000.
The Broadway Education Alliance Reveals ROGER REES AWARDS Student Nominees
by A.A. Cristi - May 13, 2025

The Broadway Education Alliance has announced the 50 Roger Rees Awards nominees for Outstanding Performer in a qualifying role in an officially licensed high school production presented during the 2024-2025 academic year.
50 Student Nominees Announced for the 2025 Roger Rees Awards
by Nicole Rosky - May 12, 2025

The Broadway Education Alliance has just announced the 50 nominees for Outstanding Performer in a qualifying role in an officially licensed high school production presented during the 2024-2025 academic year. We have the full list of nominees here!
THE VOICE OF WHITNEY Opens at The Town Hall
by Stephi Wild - Feb 18, 2025

Fans of Whitney Houston traveled from around the country and the world to attend the New York City premiere of The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration, the highly anticipated concert event, this past weekend.
The Town Hall to Present THE VOICE OF WHITNEY: A Symphonic Celebration on Valentine's Day Weekend
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 7, 2025

The Town Hall will celebrate Houston and the premiere of The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration, conducted by internationally renowned conductor and music director Sean Mayes, featuring Pops of Color. Learn more!
Last Chance To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards; SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Stratford Festival Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 27, 2024

This is the last chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Final Week To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards; Stratford Festival Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Dec 23, 2024

This is the final week to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards; SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Stratford Festival Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 16, 2024

Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Toronto Production of Disney's THE LION KING Extends Through August 30, 2025
by Stephi Wild - Dec 2, 2024

The new Toronto production of Disney’s The Lion King will extend performances through August 30, 2025. The new block of tickets, for performances from April 29 to August 30, 2025, will go on sale at 10AM on Saturday December 7, 2024.
Video: Lonnie Ali & Richard Willis Talk Bringing Broadway-Bound ALI Musical to Chicago
by Joshua Wright - Aug 13, 2024

Muhammad Ali's wife, Lonnie Ali, and producer Richard Willis sat down with CBS News Chicago to talk about bringing the Broadway-Bound musical to Chicago.  Watch the full clip!
Video: Nicholas Christopher Sings From Broadway-Bound ALI
by Stephi Wild - Aug 13, 2024

ALI, the new musical celebrating the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali, is set to premiere in Chicago next year, for an out of town run prior to Broadway. Watch an all new video featuring a song from the show here!
Broadway-Bound ALI Musical Will Premiere in Chicago in 2025
by Stephi Wild - Jul 10, 2024

ALI, the new musical celebrating the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali, is set to premiere in Chicago next year, for an out of town run prior to Broadway. We have all of the details on the new musical!
Stars In The House To Livestream THE BROADWAY SITZPROBE EXPERIENCE: SHE LOVES ME On May 6
by A.A. Cristi - May 3, 2024

On May 6, from 7 PM ET to 10 PM ET, Stars in the House, the award-winning streaming variety/fundraising show co-hosted by Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson, will livestream The Broadway Sitzprobe Experience: She Loves Me.
Video: Creative Team Talks APORTIA CHRYPTYCH: A BLACK OPERA FOR PORTIA WHITE at the Canadian Opera Company
by Joshua Wright - Apr 12, 2024

Watch as lead creator, director & librettist HAUI and composer Sean Mayes talk about the exciting world premiere of APORTIA CHRYPTYCH: A BLACK OPERA FOR PORTIA WHITE. APORTIA CHRYPTYCH: A BLACK OPERA FOR PORTIA WHITE at the Canadian Opera Company.
APORTIA CHRYPTCH: A Black Opera for Portia White to be Presented at Canadian Opera Company Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 10, 2024

The world premiere of Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White will be presented at the Canadian Opera Company Theatre in June. Learn more about the performances and see how to purchase tickets.
MANDELA: A NEW MUSICAL London Cast Recording Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 22, 2024

Center Stage Records has released the original London cast recording of Mandela – A New Musical, recorded live at the Young Vic, is now available on all digital platforms.
Review: AFTER MIDNIGHT at Paper Mill Playhouse-A Jazzy, Exhilarating Musical Revue Celebrating the Harlem Renaissance
by Marina Kennedy - Feb 6, 2024

Paper Mill Playhouse is now presenting After Midnight, a scintillating musical revue.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Sean Mayes been in?

Sean Mayes has not appeared on Broadway.

How many West End shows has Sean Mayes been in?

Sean Mayes has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Sean Mayes's first West End show?

Sean Mayes's first West End show was Elvis which opened in 1977

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