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Tina Landau

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BIO

Landau's early work included site specific productions with New York City's En Garde Arts, including Orestes and The Trojan Women: A Love Story, both by Charles L. Mee, as well as her original play "Stonewall: Night Variations." Floyd Collins, with a book by Landau and a score by Adam Guettel, opened off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in 1996. Landau was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical, and the production won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical. A later version of the show played at San Diego's Old Globe Theater, The Goodman Theater in Chicago, and The Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia (where it was originally commissioned and produced.)



In 1997, she became a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where she has directed numerous productions including The Wheel, The Hot L Baltimore, Tarell Alvin McCraney's The Brother/Sister Plays and Head of Passes, The Tempest, The Time of Your Life (which later moved to Seattle Rep and A.C.T.), The Diary of Anne Frank, The Cherry Orchard, Theatrical Essays, Time to Burn, Berlin Circle, and The Ballad of Little Jo.

She made her Broadway debut directing the 2001 revival of Bells Are Ringing with Faith Prince, and in 2009 she returned to Broadway with the Steppenwolf production of Tracy Letts' Superior Donuts. In February 2015 Nickelodeon announced that she had been tapped to co-adapt and direct SpongeBob SquarePants, The Broadway Musical, a stage adaptation of SpongeBob SquarePants. The show opened on Broadway on December 4, 2017. For SpongeBob SquarePants, Landau was nominated for the 2018 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical at the 72nd Tony Awards. She won Best Director of a Musical at both the 2018 Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the production won for Best Musical in both awards as well.

Landau's other New York City directing credits include Old Hats (with Bill Irwin and David Shiner) at the Signature Theater, Paula Vogel's A Civil War Christmas at New York Theatre Workshop, Charles L. Mee’s Iphigenia 2.0 at the Signature, Dream True, Mary Rose, Miracle Brothers and Wig Out!, all at the Vineyard Theater, as well as In the Red and Brown Water, Space, and Saturn Returns all at The Public Theater.

Landau's many other regional credits include Antony and Cleopatra at Hartford Stage, A Midsummer Night's Dream at the McCarter Theater and Papermill Playhouse, Of Thee I Sing at Papermill, The Cure at Troy at Seattle Rep, Zack Zadek's Deathless at Goodspeed Musicals, and the musical Dave at Arena Stage.

In addition to Floyd Collins, Landau's writing includes book and lyrics for Dream True and States of Independence, both with scores by Ricky Ian Gordon, the plays Beauty at La Jolla Playhouse (San Diego Critics Best Play), Space at Steppenwolf, the Public, and the Mark Taper Forum (TIME magazine Top Ten), Stonewall: Night Variations, and 1969 (or Howie Takes a Trip). With Anne Bogart, Landau has co-authored The Viewpoints Book: A Practical Guide to Viewpoints and Composition.

Landau has taught at Yale University and the Yale School of Drama, Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Columbia University.

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Writing

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Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Tina Landau, SpongeBob SquarePants


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Tina Landau, SpongeBob SquarePants

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Direction of a Musical

Tina Landau, SpongeBob SquarePants

The Lortels - 2013 - Outstanding Director

Tina LandauA Civil War Christmas

Videos

News


Video: Go Inside the Making of 'Great Escape' from REDWOOD With Idina Menzel

Hear about the creation of 'Great Escape' from Redwood the Musical. Idina Menzel, Tina Landau, and Kate Diaz open up about the song in a new video, revealing that it was one of the first tracks written for the new musical.
Photos: Idina Menzel-Led REDWOOD Begins Rehearsals

Rehearsals are underway for Redwood on Broadway, starring Idina Menzel. The production will begin previews next month at the Nederlander Theatre. Check out the rehearsal photos here!
EMILY GOGLIA PRESENTS THE LIMELIGHT CLUB Continues at the Moon Room

Emily Goglia Presents The Limelight Club will continue at The Moon Room on Melrose this month. Learn more about the upcoming performance here and find out how to get tickets!
Idina Menzel to Host In-Person Lottery Celebrating REDWOOD Broadway Box Office Opening

Redwood will celebrate its official box office opening with a special in-person lottery, hosted by star Idina Menzel. Learn more about the show and see how to attend the event!
Up on the Marquee: REDWOOD

The new musical Redwood is getting ready to come to Broadway in 2025! Checkout pics of the new Broadway marquee at the Nederlander Theatre.
Video: Idina Menzel Records 'Great Escape' From REDWOOD

Watch to Idina Menzel record 'Great Escape' from the upcoming Broadway production of Redwood! Learn more about the Broadway show and see how to purchase tickets.
Everything You Don't Know About FLOYD COLLINS

Lincoln Center Theater is preparing for the Broadway premiere of Floyd Collins- the first major revival since the show's off Broadway premiere in 1996. Since then, the musical has gained a loyal fanbase, but remains largely unknown by musical theatre-loving audiences. What do you need to know...?
Watch: SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS Musical is Available to Watch For Free on YouTube

The Spongebob Musical, starring Ethan Slater in the title role, is now streaming on YouTube. The musical can be watched online at any time. Watch the full Spongebob Squarepants Musical here!
Video: Kristen Bell and Emily Goglia Perform WICKED and FROZEN Medley

Kristen Bell joined Emily Goglia for a guest appearance during her cabaret show at The Moon Room in Los Angeles earlier this week. The duo performed a medley of songs from Wicked and Frozen. Check out the video here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 22, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 22, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Jeremy Jordan, Jason Gotay & Lizzy McAlpine Will Lead FLOYD COLLINS

Lincoln Center Theater has found it's cast for the Broadway premiere of FLOYD COLLINS, a musical with book by Tina Landau, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, additional lyrics by Tina Landau and direction by Tina Landau. Check out who will join Jeremy Jordan as the title character.
De’Adre Aziza, Michael Park, Zachary Noah Piser, and Khaila Wilcoxon Join Idina Menzel-Led REDWOOD

The full company has been announced for the new musical Redwood, coming to Broadway in 2025, led by Idina Menzel. Learn more about the cast and the production here!
Idina Menzel Will Sing from REDWOOD at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Idina Mezel will return to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year to perform from the BronxZoo’s “Wondrous World of Wildlife” float. Menzel will sing “Great Escape” from her next Broadway project- Redwood. 
Emily Goglia to Bring THE LIMELIGHT CLUB to The Moon Room With Kristen Bell and More

Emily Goglia Presents The Limelight Club continues at The Moon Room on Melrose in November. The evening will feature special guests and more. Learn how to purchase tickets!
LCT's THE BLOOD QUILT to Offer $39 Tickets Through Online Lottery

Lincoln Center Theater is launching an online ticket lottery for its production of Katori Hall’s THE BLOOD QUILT. Gathering at their childhood island home off the coast of Georgia, four sisters meet to create a family quilt to honor their recently deceased mother. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase discounted tickets.
MOTHER PLAY Now Available at the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive at NYPL

Paula Vogel's Mother Play is now available to watch at the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts! Learn more about the production and see how to watch the film!
Anna Deavere Smith and Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean To Headline Long Wharf Theatre's Artistic Congress

Long Wharf Theatre, in partnership with Yale Schwarzman Center, has announced that Anna Deavere Smith and Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean will be the keynote speakers at the Artistic Congress, a three-day convening focused on fostering collaboration and conversations on the future of theater and its vital importance to expression, equity and democracy.
Interview: Theatre Life with Anita Yavich

Today’s subject Anita Yavich is currently living her theatre life both locally and on Broadway. Her costume designs can currently be seen in Roundabout Theatre Company’s current production of Yellow Face and starting October 25th her work will be onstage at Kennedy Center in the Opera House with Washington National Opera’s (WNO) production of Fidelio. The show runs through November 4th.
Christopher Ashley Will Take Over as Roundabout Theatre Company Artistic Director

Christopher Ashley, 17-year Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse, will be the new Artistic Director of Roundabout Theatre Company, to begin his tenure in July 2026 with the 2027-28 season.
Steppenwolf Theatre to Launch Steppenwolf IMPACT: Corporate & Professional Development Training

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will launch Steppenwolf IMPACT, a corporate and professional development training program. The IMPACT program offers a variety of unique options. Learn more and see how to apply.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Tina Landau written?

Tina Landau has written 5 shows including Dream True: My Life with Vernon Dixon (Bookwriter), Floyd Collins (Lyricist), Space (Playwright), The Spongebob Musical (Co-Conceiver), Redwood (Book).

What awards has Tina Landau been nominated for?

Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for SpongeBob SquarePants, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for SpongeBob SquarePants, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for SpongeBob SquarePants and Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for A Civil War Christmas.

What awards has Tina Landau won?

Tina Landau has won the Outstanding Director of a Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for SpongeBob SquarePants and the Outstanding Director of a Musical award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for SpongeBob SquarePants.

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Videos