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Lileana Blain-Cruz

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Lileana Blain-Cruz BIO

LCT: Pipeline; the LCT3 productions of Marys Seacole (Obie Award), War (also Yale Rep); also Resident Director. Recent projects include Dreaming Zenzile (St. Louis Rep, McCarter, upcoming at NYTW/National Black Theatre); …(Iphigenia) (MASS MoCA, Arts Emerson, Kennedy Center); Hansel and Gretel (film for Houston Grand Opera); Anatomy of a Suicide (Atlantic); Fefu and Her Friends (TFANA); Girls (Yale Rep); Faust (Opera Omaha); The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World (Obie Award), Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine (Signature); Thunderbodies, Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. (Soho Rep); The House That Will Not Stand, Red Speedo (NYTW); Henry IV, Part One, Much Ado About Nothing (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); The Bluest Eye (The Guthrie); Salome (JACK); and Hollow Roots (the Under the Radar Festival at The Public Theater). 2021 Doris Duke Artist, 2020 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist, 2018 United States Artists Fellow. Upcoming: The Listeners (Opera Norway).

Lileana Blain-Cruz Photos

Lileana Blain-Cruz Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Williamstown, MA (Regional), 2017]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Assistant Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Assistant Director
Assistant Director

Lileana Blain-Cruz Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Lileana Blain-Cruz, Dreaming Zenzile

Drama League Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Lileana Blain-Cruz, White Girl in Danger


winner
Drama League Awards - 2022 - Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Skin Of Our Teeth

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Direction of a Play

Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Skin of Our Teeth


winner
Obie Awards - 2019 - Special Citations

Lileana Blain Cruz, Marys Seacole

The Lortels - 2018 - Outstanding Director

Lileana Blain-Cruz, Pipeline


winner
Obie Awards - 2017 - Directing

Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World

Lileana Blain-Cruz Videos

Lileana Blain-Cruz News


John Adams to Present EL NINO at The Met, Staged by Lileana Blain-Cruz


Pulitzer Prize–winning composer-conductor John Adams will return to the Met for the company premiere of his acclaimed opera-oratorio El Niño, opening on April 23.

Videos: Cast and Creatives Talk EL NINO at the Metropolitan Opera in Two New Panels


The cast and creative team members of John Adams's El Niño at the Metropolitan Opera recently took part in two different panels to discuss the production, at The Apollo and The Guggenheim. Both panels are now available in full to watch online. Check out the videos here!

Photos: Get A First Look at EL NIÑO at the Metropolitan Opera


Get a first look at all new photos The Met premiere of John Adams’s opera-oratorio EL NIŃO, which features soprano Julia Bullock, mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, and bass-baritone Davóne Tines.

Video: Get A First Look at EL NIÑO at the Metropolitan Opera


Get a first look at The Met premiere of John Adams’s opera-oratorio EL NIŃO, which features soprano Julia Bullock, mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, and bass-baritone Davóne Tines in an all-new video from rehearsals.

Video: Go Inside Rehearsals For EL NIÑO at the Metropolitan Opera


Go inside rehearsals which are now underway for The Met premiere of John Adams’s opera-oratorio EL NIŃO, which features soprano Julia Bullock, mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, and bass-baritone Davóne Tines.

Jelani Remy, Emily Skeggs & More to Star in THE APPLE BOYS Industry Reading


Jelani Remy, Emily Skeggs and more will star in an industry reading of the new musical THE APPLE BOYS. Learn more about the show!

Video: Director Lileana Blain-Cruz Discusses Latin American Influences in The Met's EL NIÑO


Director Lileana Blain-Cruz discusses the Latin American artistic influences in her vibrant new production of John Adams’s El Niño in the video here!

Video: Meet the Creative Team of The Met's EL NIÑO


Watch as ahead of the Met premiere of El Niño, composer John Adams discusses his acclaimed opera-oratorio and director Lileana Blain-Cruz describes her vibrant new production.

Helen Hunt-Led BETRAYAL & More Set for Goodman Theatre 2024/25 Season


The Goodman Theatre has revealed its 2024/25 season! See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Soho Rep to Present World Premiere of Raja Feather Kelly's THE FIRES


Soho Rep will present The Fires, a world premiere play written and directed by Raja Feather Kelly. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Listen: WHITE GIRL IN DANGER Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording Out Now


YELLOW SOUND LABEL has released White Girl in Danger: Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording – the new musical from Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Michael R. Jackson. Listen here!

Exclusive: Listen to 'Why I Kill' From Michael R. Jackson's WHITE GIRL IN DANGER


The original cast album for Michael R. Jackson's White Girl in Danger will be released this Friday, March 29. We have your exclusive first listen of the song 'Why I Kill', performed by Tarra Conner Jones. Listen to the song here!

Video: Go Inside the Photo Shoot for EL NIÑO at the Metropolitan Opera


Go behind the scenes at the photo shoot for El Niño at the Metropolitan Opera, with Julia Bullock and photographer Zenith Richards in the video here!

New Musical TEETH Gets Second Extension At Playwrights Horizons


Due to popular demand, the new Off-Broadway musical TEETH has extended its run again. Get the latest updates on the show's schedule and more.

Soho Rep Gala to Honor Berwin Lee Brown New York / London Playwrights & Celebrate Raja Feather Kelly


Soho Rep’s 2024 Spring Fête will honor Berwin Lee Brown New York / London Playwrights. The evening also celebrates Raja Feather Kelly. Learn more about the event!

Patti LuPone, Jeanine Tesori's BLUE & More Set for Lyric Opera of Chicago 2024/25 Season


Lyric Opera of Chicago has revealed its 2024/25 Season. See the full season lineup and learn how to purchase tickets!

Paige Evans to Step Down as Signature Theatre Artistic Director


Signature Theatre Artistic Director Paige Evans will step down in June, having led the company since 2016. Learn more about the transition.

Works & Process to Present The Metropolitan Opera: EL NIÑO By John Adams


Works & Process will present The Metropolitan Opera: El Niño by John Adams. Learn more about the event and see how to purchase tickets.

Michael R. Jackson's WHITE GIRL IN DANGER Will Receive Cast Recording


An original cast album will be released for Michael R. Jackson's White Girl in Danger this month. The album will be released in streaming and digital formats from Yellow Sound Label on Friday, March 29.

Sandra Oh, Ann Harada & More to Star in THE WELKIN at Atlantic Theater Company


The complete cast has been revealed for the American premiere of The Welkin, written by Lucy Kirkwood and directed by Sarah Benson at Atlantic Theater Company. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Lileana Blain-Cruz FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Lileana Blain-Cruz been nominated for?

Lileana Blain-Cruz has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama League Awards for "Dreaming Zenzile" and "White Girl in Danger," the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards for "The Skin Of Our Teeth," Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "The Skin of Our Teeth," Special Citations at the Obie Awards for "Marys Seacole," Outstanding Director at The Lortels for "Pipeline," and Directing at the Obie Awards for "The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World."

What awards has Lileana Blain-Cruz won?

Lileana Blain-Cruz has won the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards for "The Skin Of Our Teeth." She also received Special Citations at the Obie Awards for "Marys Seacole" and won for Directing at the Obie Awards for "The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World."

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