Lainie Sakakura

Lainie Sakakura NYC based director, choreographer, producer, award winning choreographer (Joe A. Callaway Award & Joseph Jefferson Award). Broadway: GYPSY, CABARET, and SUFFS (Outer Critics Award and Tony nominated co-producer with Theatre Producers of Color), FOSSE (dance reconstruction & dance captain). 6 Broadway Original Casts including: CHITA RIVERA THE DANCER’S LIFE, THE KING AND I (Legacy Robe recipient). NYC: Radio City Rockettes, Met Opera, Ballet Hispanico, 3 City Center Encores! (Assoc Chor/Performer). Recent Director/Choreographer: LIZZIE, TheaterWorks Hartford; CARRIE, HEAD OVER HEELS. Choreographer: Off Broadway & Regional incl CABARET & GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, Goodspeed Musicals; THE FROGS, Jazz Lincoln Center; BCEFA EASTER BONNET, GYPSY OF THE YEAR. Concept/Direction: Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts: CELEBRATING AAPI BROADWAY STORIES 1951-1991 Educator: Choreography Master Class for The American Theatre Wing; 15 universities (Director/Choreographer, Adjunct Professor and/or Guest Teaching Artist) incl NYU Tisch NSB, UMich, Pace, Point Park. Ballet Programs incl. ABT, Joffrey Ballet, New Jersey Ballet. Ms Sakakura spent 6 years and hundreds of hours working with Gwen Verdon and Chet Walker reconstructing, assisting, dancing, performing nearly 70 Bob Fosse numbers and had the honor of being the first and only dancer chosen by Gwen Verdon to perform her role in MEXICAN SHUFFLE. Sakakura paid tribute to Ms Verdon with a NYC premiere at the Palace Theatre in 2000. Verdon Fosse Legacy director/reconstructor/teacher. Longtime advocate for diversity and inclusion in the performing arts. Co-Founder: Rockettes of Color Alumnae and Sakachez®