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Sean Mayes

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Sean Mayes 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.

Sean Mayes Photos

Sean Mayes STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Original London Production, 1977
Performer

Sean Mayes Productions

 
[West End, 2022]
Musical Director

Sean Mayes News


Stars In The House To Livestream THE BROADWAY SITZPROBE EXPERIENCE: SHE LOVES ME On May 6


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


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


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


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


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

Photos: In Rehearsals for AFTER MIDNIGHT at Paper Mill Playhouse


Paper Mill Playhouse will soon present After Midnight, co-directed by Dominique Kelley. Check out photos from inside rehearsals here!

Cast and Creative Team Revealed For AFTER MIDNIGHT at Paper Mill Playhouse


Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the cast and creative team for After Midnight. Learn more about who is in the cast and on the team here!

22 Theater Books for Your Winter 2024 Reading List


The weather outside might still be frightful for a while, but what better time to stay in and snuggle up with a great Broadway read? Check out our complete Winter 2024 reading list!

Rap Artist Q-Tip Joins the Team of Broadway-Bound Musical ALI


Grammy Award-winner Q-Tip has joined the team of ALI, the new musical celebrating the life and legacy of the heavyweight boxing champion and humanitarian Muhammad Ali, as Music Producer and Co-Lyricist.

Canadian Opera Company 2023/2024 Season Shines With New Productions And Star-Studded CENTRE STAGE


Single tickets are now on sale for all of the Canadian Opera Company's 2023/2024 operas, as well as Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition, a fast-paced and exciting night of opera in support of the country's very best emerging singing talent.

Exclusive: An Interview with Director and Librettist HAUI about the World Premiere of APORTIA CHRYPTYCH at the Canadian Opera Company


Later in the 23/24 season, audiences of the Canadian Opera Company will have the opportunity to experience both Opera, and a Canadian story like they have never experienced it before. HAUI and Sean Mayes' APORTIA CHRYPTYCH: A BLACK OPERA FOR PORTIA WHITE will have its world premiere next June. Tickets are now on sale.

21 Theater Books for Your Fall 2023 Reading List


We're falling into fall with a great Broadway read! This season, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 21 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's fall reading list.

Review: RENT IN CONCERT at The Kennedy Center


What did our critic think of RENT IN CONCERT at The Kennedy Center?

Review: KING LEAR at the Stratford Festival is a Visually Stunning and Excellently Performed Night at the Theatre


You could feel the excitement stir in the audience from the moment the Stratford Festival’s Opening Night production of KING LEAR began on Tuesday evening. Orchestrations by Sean Mayes immediately set the tone as the audience visibly leaned forward in anticipation at the booming sound of timpani drums. Many an audience member remained leaning forward all night. Director, Kimberley Rampersad’s production - starring Paul Gross in the titular role - moved swiftly with excitement and intention towards its tragic end, keeping a firm hold on the audience the entire way.

Jaquel Spivey to Host the 13th Annual Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance


Jaquel Spivey, Tony and Grammy Award-nominated artist for his role in A Strange Loop, will co-host the 2022-23 Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Paul Gross Returns to the Stratford Festival in KING LEAR Today


After making his Stratford Festival debut as the Prince of Denmark more than 20 years ago, Paul Gross returns as the King of England, playing the title role in King Lear.

FALL ON YOUR KNEES Comes to the Grand Theatre


Following acclaimed performances across the nation, the Grand Theatre will present the final performances of the epic, two-part stage adaptation of author Ann-Marie MacDonald’s beloved Canadian classic Fall On Your Knees from March 29th through April 2nd.

MEDEA, a World Premiere & More to Headline Canadian Opera Company's 2023/2024 Season


The Canadian Opera Company announced its 2023/2024 season today featuring a slate of exciting new productions and rare musical gems.

Corbin Bleu, Nikki Renée Daniels, Norm Lewis & More Star in BLACK BROADWAY Concert Special on PBS


Performing classics from The Wiz, The Color Purple, Company, Porgy & Bess, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and more, the cast will feature Corbin Bleu, Nikki Renée Daniels, Tiffany Mann, Nova Payton, Stephanie Mills, Norm Lewis, John Manzari, Leah Flynn, Amber Iman, Peppermint, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ephraim Sykes, E. Clayton Cornelious, and more.

World Premiere of Marie MacDonald's FALL ON YOUR KNEES Opens Next Month


This January, Canadian Stage will present the history-making two-part stage adaptation of author Ann-Marie Macdonald's internationally acclaimed and best-selling novel FALL ON YOUR KNEES, on stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre January 20 - February 5, 2023 (Media nights: January 26 (Part One) and January 27 (Part Two).

Sean Mayes 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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