U.J. Mangune

A proud, nonbinary, first-generation Tagalog-Kampangpangan artist and activist. Originally taught breakdancing by their cousins, UJ found their true love for dance when they moved to a rural high school. Studying YouTube dance tutorials throughout all four years to make up for the isolation he experienced at his high school, UJ would eventually end up dropping out of business school after being rejected from multiple arts colleges to instead study at Westlake Dance Center. This is where Sheri Lewis would introduce them to musical theatre. Joining Westlake Dance Center in 2011 under the tutelage of Sheri Lewis, UJ would begin working professionally in musical theatre two years later with The Fifth Avenue Theatre's world premiere of "Secondhand Lions". UJ has since gained national recognition and awards in his home state, namely both Seattle's 2019 BWW's Critic's Choice and the Gypsy Rose Lee award for their choreography in "Head Over Heels" at ArtsWest.