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Zhailon Levingston Headshot

Zhailon Levingston

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BIO

Zhailon Levingston is a Louisiana-raised storyteller, director, and activist. He is a Board Member for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which he co-created, and teaches the Theatre of Change course at Columbia University.

He is a Music Mentor Fellow and has done work with Idina Menzel’s A Broader Way Foundation. His directing credits include: Neptune (Dixon Place, Brooklyn Museum), The Years That Went Wrong (Lark, MCC), The Exonerated (Columbia Law School), Chariot Part 2 (Soho Rep., for The Movement Theatre Company), Mother of Pearl (LaGuardia Performing Arts Center). He is the associate director of Primer for a Failed Superpower with Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, and Runaways at The Public Theater with Sam Pinkleton. Most recently, he directed Chicken & Biscuits which premiered on Broadway in 2021 and Patience which premiered at Second Stage UPTOWN Summer of 2022. Zhailon is also the former resident director at Tina: The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway and the associate director of Hadestown in South Korea.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Concert Presentation, 2017
Performer


Productions

 
[Broadway, 2026]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2025]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2021] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Community Engagement Team.

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Zhailon Levingston, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Drama League Awards - 2025 - OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Zhailon Levingston, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Zhailon Levingston, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

News


Works & Process at the Guggenheim Unveils Spring 2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 4, 2025

Throughout spring 2026, Works & Process will present a full slate of dynamic programs at Guggenheim New York, along with a special Martha Graham Dance Company performance at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice on May 8, coinciding with the opening of the Venice Biennale.
Full Cast Set for Joriah Kwamé's LITTLE MISS PERFECT World Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 3, 2025

Olney Theatre Center will present the world premiere of Little Miss Perfect, a new musical, on the Roberts Mainstage. Leanne Antonio stars as Noelle Sanders.
Photos: GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES Celebrates Opening Night Off-Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - Nov 25, 2025

Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries is back on the New York stage, and recently celebrated its gala opening for its off-Broadway run. Check out photos from the opening night here!
Jennifer Fouché, Liane Grant, Nadia Brown And More To Lead Industry Reading Of HALF ME, HALF YOU
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 19, 2025

A new industry reading of HALF ME, HALF YOU will take place in New York on November 23 and 24, directed by Broadway’s Zhailon Levingston. The cast will include Jennifer Fouché, Liane Grant, Nadia Brown, Pooya Mohseni, and Torée Alexandre.
Review: TABLE 17 at Geffen Playhouse
by Evan Henerson - Nov 16, 2025

The fervor of a given audience – kind of its own character in this play - probably helps distract from the fact that, its sweet vibes aside, there’s not a lot of there in Lyons’ play. It’s a good time, but it’s light as a spritz of air freshener.
Photos: Biko Eisen-Martin, Gail Bean and More in TABLE 17 at Geffen Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 11, 2025

Table 17, written by Douglas Lyons and directed Zhalion Levingston is now playing at Geffen Playhouse. Get a first look at production photos.
Video: Douglas Lyons and Zhailon Levingston Talk TABLE 17 at Geffen Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 5, 2025

Watch Douglas Lyons and Zhailon Levingston discuss the production of Lyons' Table 17 at Geffen Playhouse.
Norm Lewis and Michael Urie to Reunite for CHICKEN & BISCUITS Benefit Reading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 3, 2025

Queens Theatre will present a one-night-only staged reading of Douglas Lyons' Broadway comedy Chicken & Biscuits, starring Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis and Emmy Award nominee Michael Urie.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 31, 2025- LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD Opens On Broadway and More
by - Oct 31, 2025

Happy Halloween, BroadwayWorld! It is October 31, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
SDCF Reveals 2024-2025 Joe A. Callaway Winners And Finalists
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 30, 2025

SDCF has revealed the recipients of the 2024–2025 Joe A. Callaway Awards: Zhailon Levingston, recognized for Excellence in Direction for Table 17, and Darrell Grand Moultrie, recognized for Excellence in Choreography for Goddess.
Photo: VIR DAS: HEY STRANGER at Lincoln Center Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 29, 2025

Emmy-winning comedian, actor, and one of the most global voices in stand-up comedy, Vir Das, will begin performances of Vir Das: Hey Stranger at the Claire Tow Theater. See a photo here!
THE COMEDY SERIES Digital Lottery And Rush Policies Announced At Lincoln Center Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 28, 2025

Lincoln Center Theater and Seaview have announced rush and lottery details for The Comedy Series, launching October 29 at the Claire Tow Theater. The lineup includes Vir Das, Jerrod Carmichael, Ego Nwodim, and Sam Jay, each performing limited engagements Off-Broadway.
Blue Roses Project to Present RED TIDE by Dom Martello in New Orleans
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2025

Tony nominee and acclaimed writer Gideon Glick and producer-director James Will McBride have launched Blue Roses Project. Learn more about their upcoming production here.
Ego Nwodim to Join THE COMEDY SERIES at Lincoln Center Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 14, 2025

Comedian and actress Ego Nwodim will join the lineup for The Comedy Series at LCT’s Claire Tow Theater this fall, completing the series of comedians. Learn more!
Rachel Chavkin, Eric Berryman and More to Star in The TEAM's RECONSTRUCTING
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 10, 2025

The Brooklyn-based, internationally-renowned ensemble The TEAM will present the rolling world premiere of its major new work Reconstructing with multiple engagements across the country in the first half of 2026. Learn more!
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Confirmed to Return to the Stage
by Sidney Paterra - Oct 9, 2025

CATS: The Jellicle Ball! has officially been confirmed to return to Broadway. The production will play Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre beginning in March. Learn more!
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Confirmed to Return to the Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 6, 2025

The Shubert Organization took to Instagram today to confirm the return of CATS: The Jellicle Ball! Learn more about CATS: The Jellicle Ball and see how to purchase tickets.
Applications Now Open For The 6th Year Of The Cody Renard Richard Scholarship Program
by Stephi Wild - Oct 1, 2025

The CRR Scholarship Program will continue to distribute $100,000 amongst 10 recipients and will offer the cohort various online work sessions focused on leadership, community building, social justice, mentorship, professional growth, and more.
What's Coming to Broadway in 2026: Upcoming Hits and Star Performances
by Sidney Paterra - Sep 1, 2025

Check out a full list of what's to come on Broadway in 2026 including plays, musicals, revivals, new shows and of course - stars! Be sure to check back for updates. We have all of the details!
Parsons Dance, Nrityagram Dance Ensemble and More Join Queens Theatre 2025"2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 21, 2025

Queens Theatre has announced its 2025–2026 Season, an eclectic mix of dance, theater, family programming, and special events that will celebrate the best of Queens and the world.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Zhailon Levingston been nominated for?

Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (Drama League Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball and Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball.

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