Susan Stroman
Birth Place: Wilmington, DE, USA
Lilli Cooper, Mandy Gonzalez, Nikki M. James and Betsy Wolfe Join New 42 Artist Council (Mar 3, 2026)
POTUS, OR, BEHIND EVERY DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE Begins Run (Mar 1, 2026)
Stage Door Foundation Launches NEW NEXT NOW for Musical Development (Feb 27, 2026)
BIO
A five-time Tony Award winning director and choreographer most known for Crazy For You, Contact, The Scottsboro Boys, and The Producers. Her work has been honored with Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel and a record six Astaire Awards.
She directed and choreographed The Producers, winner of a record-making 12 Tony Awards including Best Direction and Best Choreography.
She co-created, directed and choreographed the Tony Award winning musical Contact for Lincoln Center Theater, which was honored with a 2003 Emmy Award for “Live from Lincoln Center”.
She directed and choreographed the critically acclaimed musical The Scottsboro Boys on Broadway and in the West End, where it was honored with the 2014 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical. She most recently directed the Broadway play POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. Other Broadway credits include Oklahoma!, Show Boat, Prince of Broadway, Bullets Over Broadway, Big Fish, Young Frankenstein, Thou Shalt Not, The Music Man, The Frogs, Big, Steel Pier, Picnic, and Crazy for You.
Off-Broadway credits include: The Beast in the Jungle, Dot, Flora the Red Menace, And the World Goes ’Round, Happiness and The Last Two People on Earth: An Apocalyptic Vaudeville starring Mandy Patinkin and Taylor Mac.
For ten years she choreographed Madison Square Garden’s annual spectacular A Christmas Carol. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut directing and choreographing The Merry Widow, starring Renée Fleming.
Her London West End productions include Crazy For You, Oklahoma!, Show Boat, Contact, The Producers, and Young Frankenstein.
For New York City Ballet, she created Double Feature, a full-length ballet featuring the music of Irving Berlin and Walter Donaldson, and For the Love of Duke, featuring the music of Duke Ellington.
Other ballet credits include But Not For Me for the Martha Graham Company and Take Five…More or Less for Pacific Northwest Ballet. Her choreography received an Emmy Award nomination for the HBO presentation Liza – Live from Radio City Music Hall, starring Liza Minnelli. She received the American Choreography Award for her work in Columbia Pictures feature film Center Stage. She directed and choreographed The Producers: The Movie Musical, nominated for 4 Golden Globes.
She directed and choreographed the Broadway bound Ahrens/Flaherty musical Little Dancer for The Kennedy Center and Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater. In collaboration with the Williamstown Theatre Festival, she directed the play Photograph 51 for Audible.
She is an Associate Director for Lincoln Center Theater and a member of the Board of Directors for the Ronald O. Perelman Center for the Performing Arts located at the World Trade Center.
She is the recipient of the George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in the American Theater and an inductee of the Theater Hall of Fame in New York City.
Learn more at SusanStroman.com.
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
Conceiver
Bookwriter
Movies
[ 1998 ] choreographer
[ 2000 ] choreographer
[ 2005 ] choreographer
Awards and Nominations
Susan Stroman, Smash
Susan Stroman, New York, New York
Susan Stroman, New York, New York
winner
Susan Stroman, New York, New York
Susan Stroman, New York, New York
Susan Stroman, New York, New York
winner
Susan StromanLittle Dancer
Susan Stroman, Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical
Susan Stroman, Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical
Susan StromanThe Scottsboro Boys
Susan StromanThe Scottsboro Boys
Susan Stroman, Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical
Susan Stroman, Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical
winner
Susan Stroman
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys
Susan Stroman , The Scottsboro Boys
winner
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys
Susan Stroman, Happiness
Susan Stroman, Happiness
Susan Stroman, Young Frankenstein
Susan Stroman, Young Frankenstein
Susan Stroman, Young Frankenstein
Susan Stroman, The Producers
Susan Stroman, The Producers
Susan StromanContact
Susan StromanContact
winner
Susan Stroman, Oklahoma!
Susan Stroman, Oklahoma!
winner
Susan Stroman, The Producers
winner
Susan Stroman, The Producers
winner
Susan Stroman
winner
Susan Stroman, The Producers
winner
Susan Stroman, The Producers
winner
Susan Stroman, The Producers
winner
Susan Stroman, The Producers
winner
Susan Stroman, The Music Man
winner
Susan Stroman, Contact
winner
Susan Stroman, The Music Man
winner
Susan Stroman, The Music Man
winner
Susan Stroman, The Music Man
winner
Susan Stroman, Contact
winner
Susan Stroman, Contact
Susan Stroman, The Music Man
Susan Stroman, Contact
Susan Stroman, The Music Man
winner
Susan Stroman, Oklahoma!
Susan Stroman, Steel Pier
Susan Stroman - , Steel Pier
Susan Stroman, Steel Pier
Susan Stroman, Big
Susan Stroman , Big
winner
Susan Stroman, A Christmas Carol
winner
Susan Stroman, Show Boat
winner
Susan Stroman, Show Boat
winner
Susan Stroman, Crazy For You
Susan Stroman, Crazy for You
winner
Susan Stroman, Crazy for You
winner
Susan Stroman, Crazy for You
winner
Susan StromanAnd the World Goes Round
Videos
Video: Mandy Patinkin Leads 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' at Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Inauguration
by Stephi Wild - 2026-01-02 07:02:29
Video: First Look At GOTTA DANCE With American Dance Machine At The York Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-12-16 23:04:25
Video: Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL Opens At Hope Mill Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-10-29 21:31:07
Video: Jackie Burns Sings 'Memory' from Casa Mañana's Country Production of CATS
by Joshua Wright - 2025-06-02 12:45:15
Video: Bella Coppola Performs 'Let Me Be Your Star' in SMASH on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2025-05-28 15:59:52
Video: Watch Robyn Hurder and Cast Perform 'Let's Be Bad' From SMASH
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-22 14:02:21
Video: Robyn Hurder and SMASH Cast Perform 'Let Me Be Your Star' on THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-20 11:16:34
Video: Watch SMASH Star Bella Coppola Perform the National Anthem at the Mets Game
by Michael Major - 2025-05-19 11:38:20
Video: SMASH Cast Performs 'I Never Met A Wolf Who Didn't Love To Howl' on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-16 14:15:09
Video: Watch Caroline Bowman Sing 'They Just Keep Moving The Line' in SMASH
by Michael Major - 2025-05-14 15:40:23
Video: Robyn Hurder and More in SMASH on Broadway First Look
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-04-08 12:10:38
Video: Watch Robyn Hurder & Caroline Bowman Sing 'Don't Forget Me' From SMASH
by Michael Major - 2025-03-10 14:44:41
Video: Caroline Bowman Sings 'They Just Keep Moving the Line' from SMASH
by Nicole Rosky - 2025-03-04 10:00:20
Video: Step Inside the First SMASH Broadway Rehearsal With Krysta Rodriguez, Robyn Hurder & More
by Michael Major - 2025-01-24 15:55:16
Photos & Video: LEFT ON TENTH Starring Julianna Margulies & Peter Gallagher
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2024-10-22 13:56:43
Video: Jerry Mitchell Talks BECOMING NANCY at Birmingham Rep
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-09-15 11:07:26
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 3, 2026
New 42, the performing arts nonprofit behind New 42 Studios and New Victory Theater, has added Lilli Cooper, Mandy Gonzalez, Nikki M. James and Betsy Wolfe to the New 42 Artist Council.
by Gillian Blum - Mar 1, 2026
Laugh out loud in the face of politics as usual with the comedy POTUS, Or, Behind Every Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive by Selina Fillinger, at City Theater Company February 27-March 7.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026
The Stage Door Foundation revealed the artists and productions who will debut NEW NEXT NOW, a ground-breaking pipeline for the development of new musicals.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 24, 2026
Gulfshore Playhouse has announced its 2026–2027 season at the Baker Theatre and Education Center. The lineup includes THE WORLD GOES ’ROUND, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, HEIST, FUNDRAISER: A PLAY, GUYS AND DOLLS, JOB, and TARTUFFE.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2026
On his 80th birthday, six-time Tony Award–winning producer Kenneth D. Greenblatt has retired as GFour Productions Founder and Chairman. Learn more here.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 17, 2026
Andrew Lloyd Webber, one of the most influential figures in musical theatre, will be honored by Goodspeed Musicals at their 2026 Gala & Auction. He will be honored with the Goodspeed Musicals Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 17, 2026
Award-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, Big Fish, The Wild Party) will offer a Master Class on Monday, February 23rd at 6:30pm as part of Theatre Now New York's Industry Nights.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 14, 2026
City Theater Company will stage the comedy POTUS by Selina Fillinger, exploring political satire through a humorous lens. The show runs from February 27 to March 7, promising a blend of wit and drama.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2026
On Thursday, May 7, 2026, New York City Ballet will present its 2026 Spring Gala, Set in Stone: Creation & Preservation, with a one-time only gala program featuring a World Premiere by choreographer and NYCB Principal Dancer Tiler Peck.
by Michael Major - Feb 10, 2026
Joshua Henry is inviting a select amount of audience members to witness the recording of his new acoustic album. The Ragtime star took to Instagram to reveal that he will be releasing a new acoustic LP, recording it this month at Lincoln Center.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 4, 2026
The complete cast has been revealed joining Dame Maureen Lipman DBE in the world premiere of Allegra, a new comedy by Tony Award and two time Olivier Award nominated playwright Peter Quilter.
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Feb 3, 2026
The Kleban Foundation presented the 36th annual Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre on Monday, February 2 at 4PM in a private ceremony hosted by ASCAP and BMI at ASCAP. See photos!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 29, 2026
Tony Award-winners Danny Burstein and Ruthie Ann Miles will co-host Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation “Mr. Abbott” Award Gala celebrating Bartlett Sher.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 27, 2026
The Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs launches rePLAY, a new script-in-hand performance series benefiting the historic venue. The series opens with The Importance of Being Earnest (in New York), adapted and directed by David Zippel and featuring a Tony Award–winning cast.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 21, 2026
BroadwayCon has announced additional programming for the 2026 Convention, taking place this week. Learn more about the full upcoming lineup for the event here!
by Rosanne DellAversano - Jan 20, 2026
What did our critic think of THE PRODUCERS - A MEL BROOKS MUSICAL at The Candlelight Theatre?
by Stephi Wild - Jan 15, 2026
The Legacy Theatre’s focus for 2026 is “there’s no place like home.' For Eric Santagata, those words have an incredibly special meaning as he prepares to succeed Legacy Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director, Keely Baisden Knudsen
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 13, 2026
Ogunquit Playhouse has revealed its 94th season. The season will feature the musicals The Producers; Hello, Dolly!, Ain't Too Proud, a gala fundraiser, and more.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 2, 2026
During Zohran Mamdani's mayoral inauguration ceremony, Broadway's Mandy Patinkin led a performance of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', featuring a pubic high school choir from Staten Island. Check out the video here!
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 17, 2025
The York Theatre Company has released a first-look video of GOTTA DANCE with AMERICAN DANCE MACHINE, celebrating iconic musical theatre choreography. The production features reconstructed dance numbers from West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Singin’ in the Rain, and more. GOTTA DANCE is presented at the Theatre at St. Jean’s in New York City.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Susan Stroman has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.
Susan Stroman has not appeared in the West End.
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (Drama League Awards) for Smash, Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for New York, New York, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for New York, New York, Outstanding Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for New York, New York, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for New York, New York, Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for New York, New York, Outstanding Choreography in a Musical, HAYES Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Little Dancer, Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Best Theatre Choreographer (Olivier Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Outstanding Choreographer (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical, Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical, Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards), Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Outstanding Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Outstanding Choreographer (The Lortels) for The Scottsboro Boys, Outstanding Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Happiness, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Happiness, Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for Young Frankenstein, Outstanding Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Young Frankenstein, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Young Frankenstein, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for The Producers , Best Theatre Choreographer (Olivier Awards) for The Producers , Best Entertainment (Olivier Awards) for Contact , Best Theatre Choreographer (Olivier Awards) for Contact , Outstanding Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Oklahoma! , Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for Oklahoma!, Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Producers, Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Outstanding Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Producers , Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Producers , Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for The Producers, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for The Music Man, Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for Contact, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Music Man, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Music Man, Outstanding Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Music Man, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Contact, Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for Contact, Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for The Music Man, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Contact, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Music Man, Best Theatre Choreographer (Olivier Awards) for Oklahoma!, Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for Steel Pier, Best Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Steel Pier, Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for Steel Pier, Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for Big, Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for Big, Best Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Christmas Carol, Best Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Show Boat, Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for Show Boat, Best Theatre Choreographer (Olivier Awards) for Crazy For You, Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for Crazy for You, Best Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Crazy for You , Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for Crazy for You and Best Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for And the World Goes Round.
Susan Stroman has won numerous prestigious awards throughout her career. She received Outstanding Choreography from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for New York, New York. The Helen Hayes Awards honored her Outstanding Choreography in a Musical for Little Dancer. She earned the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League Awards. The Lortel Awards recognized her as Outstanding Choreographer for The Scottsboro Boys. Stroman won Outstanding Choreography from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Oklahoma! and also received Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Director - Musical from the Drama Desk Awards for The Producers. Additionally, she was honored with Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards. The Outer Critics Circle Awards awarded her Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Director of a Musical for The Producers. She won Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical from the Tony Awards for The Producers. Her choreography earned Outstanding Choreography from the Drama Desk Awards for Contact and The Music Man, while she also received Outstanding Director - Musical and Outstanding Director of a Musical from the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards respectively for The Music Man. The Lortel Awards recognized her Outstanding Director for Contact. The Tony Awards honored her Best Choreography for Contact, Show Boat, and Crazy for You. She won Best Theatre Choreographer from the Olivier Awards for Oklahoma! and Crazy For You. Additional accolades include Best Choreography from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for A Christmas Carol, Show Boat, Crazy for You, and And the World Goes Round.
Susan Stroman has written 3 shows including And the World Goes 'Round (Conceiver), Steel Pier (Conceiver), Contact (Conceiver).
Videos