Lainie Sakakura is a NYC based director, award winning choreographer (2002 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Choreography and 2015 Joe A. Callaway Award for Outstanding Choreography). Broadway: Dance reconstructor and onstage dance captain for 'Fosse' (1999 Tony Award Best Musical). Performed in the original casts of 6 Broadway shows including 'Chita Rivera The Dancer's Life' and 2015 'The King and I' (Legacy Robe recipient). Other NYC performing credits include: Radio City Rockettes, Ballet Hispanico, Metropolitan Opera, multiple City Center Encores! and Tony Awards.

22 year member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Select choreography: 'Cabaret', Goodspeed Musicals (2022 nomination Connecticut Critics Circle Award), 'Once', Pioneer Theatre, 'Hot Mikado', Marriott Theatre (2003 nomination Joseph Jefferson Award), Jimmy Buffett concert tour, 'Casper The Musical' starring Chita Rivera, Pittsburgh CLO Tour (co-choreographer). Directed work in NYC: Cherry Lane Theatre, Joyce Theater, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, Neighborhood Playhouse, Theatre 71, Summer Stage, The Duplex. Conceived and directed 'My AAPI Broadway Story: Breaking Barriers', Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts (TOFT archive), Bruno Walter Auditorium.

Ms Sakakura has 35 years teaching experience and a long time advocate for diversity and inclusion in the performing arts. Theatre Producers of Color (2023 cohort), Rockettes of Color Alumnae (co-founder/co-chair), Sakachez® fiscally sponsored by New York Live Arts (co-founder with Alex Sanchez), Currently in development 'Corner of Bitter and Sweet' a musical adaptation of The New York Times Bestseller 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet' (book). Opening fall 2023 'Lizzie', TheaterWorks Hartford (director) and 'Frogs' Rose Theater at Jazz Lincoln Center (choreographer).