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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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Productions

 
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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


Photos: REDWOOD on Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 14, 2025

See photos from the opening night curtain call of Redwood on Broadway starring Idina Menzel. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Review Roundup: REDWOOD Starring Idina Menzel Opens On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 14, 2025

Idina Menzel is climbing to new heights as she returns to Broadway in the new musical Redwood. The new musical features De’Adre Aziza, Michael Park, Zachary Noah Piser, and Khaila Wilcox. Read the reviews!
CAP UCLA Announces Future Visions, A Celebration Of Emerging YoungArts Filmmakers
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 13, 2025

UCLA's Center for the Art of Performance (CAP UCLA) in partnership with YoungArts, the national foundation for the advancement of artists, will present Future Visions, a celebration of YoungArts award winners' burgeoning artistry in filmmaking and storytelling at the UCLA Nimoy Theater on Saturday, March 22.
Idina Menzel and Tina Landau Will Be Honored at New Dramatists Luncheon
by Stephi Wild - Feb 12, 2025

New Dramatists will honor a duo of artists at its Annual Spring Luncheon Tribute on Tuesday, May 27 at the New York Marriott Marquis. The honorees include Tina Landau and Idina Menzel.
First Annual Love, NYC Dramaturgs Celebration To Be Livestreamed by HowlRound Theatre Commons 
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 12, 2025

Katie Walker (NYC Metro Regional VP) will host Love, NYC Dramaturgs (a love letter from dramaturgs to the New York theatre community) through the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.
Revised Edition Of TRAPPED! THE STORY OF FLOYD COLLINS Honors 100th Anniversary Of Cave Tragedy
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 10, 2025

University Press of Kentucky plans to release a revised, third edition of 'Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins' by the late historian Robert K. Murray and renowned cave explorer Roger W. Brucker, on April 15.
Lincoln Center Theater Names Nicole Kastrinos As Producer
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 5, 2025

Nicole Kastrinos will join Lincoln Center Theater in the new role of Producer, beginning Monday, March 17, 2025. Learn more about Kastrinos and about the position.
Lincoln Center Hosts Event on Arts Education in New York City Public Schools
by Stephi Wild - Feb 4, 2025

The Lincoln Center Theater Education Department will host a special convening for peer organizations who do arts work with multilingual learners in NYC schools. 
BWW Q&A: Director Katie Spelman on WAITRESS at Paramount Theatre
by Joshua Wright - Jan 30, 2025

What is more American than apple pie? A small-town 
waitress with a dream and the ingredients for success! Sugar, butter, flour. These aren’t the only ingredients Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, uses to make her famous pies. Stuck in a small town and a loveless 
marriage, Jenna unexpectedly becomes pregnant, and then finds acceptance and love in the most unexpected place.
Video: Idina Menzel Performs 'In the Leaves' From REDWOOD
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 27, 2025

Discover Idina Menzel's performance of 'In the Leaves' from the new musical Redwood on the TODAY show. Learn about the inspiration behind the musical and Menzel's unique experience during its creation. Redwood, featuring music by Kate Diaz and written by Tina Landau, explores the journey of self-discovery amidst the majestic redwoods.
Meet the Cast of REDWOOD, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Jan 24, 2025

Redwood on Broadway, starring Idina Menzel will begin previews tonight at the Nederlander Theatre. The production also stars De’Adre Aziza, Michael Park, Zachary Noah Piser, and Khaila Wilcoxon. Meet the cast here!
REDWOOD Will Offer Lottery and Rush Tickets
by Stephi Wild - Jan 23, 2025

Ahead of its first performance on Broadway, lottery and rush ticket policies have been announced for the new musical Redwood, starring Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel.
Cygnet Theatre Announces Lineup For Season 21 + Opening Date For New Contemporary Home
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 22, 2025

Cygnet Theatre has announced its 21st season, which will launch September 10, 2025 and run through July 19, 2026. The lineup will feature four musicals and two plays, including several award-winning and critically acclaimed productions.
Cygnet Theatre Unveils 21st Season At New Contemporary Permanent Home, The Joan
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 21, 2025

Cygnet Theatre has revealed its 21st season, which will launch September 10, 2025 and run through July 19, 2026. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Videos You Missed This Week: REDWOOD, CHICAGO, and More
by Sidney Paterra - Jan 17, 2025

It's been a busy week on (and off) Broadway! 2025 has officially arrived and the second half of the 2024-25 Broadway season is about to begin. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending January 17, 2025 with videos from Redwood, Chicago and more!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld January 14, 2025
by - Jan 14, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 14, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Video: Idina Menzel Explains What REDWOOD Is All About
by Joey Mervis - Jan 13, 2025

Redwood is just days from beginning preview performances on Broadway. The first musical of 2025 arrives on January 24 at the Nederlander Theatre. Watch in this video as Idina Menzel, Tina Landau and the rest of the company chats about what audiences can expect.
New York Rep Announces Exclusive Industry Presentation Of TRUTH IS… A New Play by Hank Rion
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 9, 2025

New York Rep has announced an exclusive industry presentation of Truth is… a new play by Hank Rion. The reading will take place on January 10 & 11 at 1pm at Chain Theatre.
Ella Beatty, Billy Crudup, and More Will Lead GHOSTS at Lincoln Center
by Stephi Wild - Jan 6, 2025

Lincoln Center Theater has announced the cast for its upcoming production of Henrik Ibsen’s GHOSTS, featuring a new version by Mark O’Rowe and directed by Jack O’Brien. Learn more about the cast here!
25 Broadway People to Watch in 2025
by Sidney Paterra - Jan 5, 2025

Who should you keep your eye on as the spring season begins and awards season approaches? Check out our list of just 25 performers and creatives to watch out for in the new year! ​ ​

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, as well as the Outstanding Director of a Musical award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for SpongeBob SquarePants.

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