Shanda Sawyer - Director, Choreographer & Producer

Sawyer's work as a director, choreographer, and producer has garnered numerous awards including two Emmys, a Gracie, and six American Choreography Awards and World Choreography Awards nominations. Her work spans media, live theatrical shows, and interactive mixed-reality projects. Sawyer launched the groundbreaking Marvel Universe Live! arena show franchise – writing the original concept that brought together Marvel, Disney Theatricals, and Feld Entertainment and collaborating closely with Marvel CCO Joe Quesada. Sawyer served as show creator, director, and co-writer for this uber-successful franchise's first U.S. and international tours. Sawyer’s work as a television director has fueled the success of TV comedies such as Queer Eye, The Man Show, The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show, and reality shows like Extreme Makeove, and The World’s Greatest Stunts. Sawyer executive produced and directed Oxygen’s critically acclaimed reality/comedy series Who Needs Hollywood? and was honored to design and direct the Michael Kidd Tribute for the Academy Awards. Her choreography is featured in numerous TV shows. Sawyer was also honored to be chosen to re-imagine the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus. She also directed China Goes Pop – a joint production from Broadway Asia and China’s CPAA – which sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and toured globally.  The show combines traditional Chinese culture and acrobatics with Western pop music and projected Pop Art environments. Sawyer has created innovative live shows, commercials, and media for corporate clients like Levi’s, L’Oreal, Carnival, Pepsi, Nestle, Nintendo, Subaru, and Absolut. Learn more about Shanda: shandasawyer.com