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Zhailon Levingston

BIO

Zhailon Levingston is a Louisiana-raised storyteller, director, and activist. He is a Board Member for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which he co-created, and teaches the Theatre of Change course at Columbia University.


He is a Music Mentor Fellow and has done work with Idina Menzel’s A Broader Way Foundation. His directing credits include: Neptune (Dixon Place, Brooklyn Museum), The Years That Went Wrong (Lark, MCC), The Exonerated (Columbia Law School), Chariot Part 2 (Soho Rep., for The Movement Theatre Company), Mother of Pearl (LaGuardia Performing Arts Center). He is the associate director of Primer for a Failed Superpower with Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, and Runaways at The Public Theater with Sam Pinkleton. Most recently, he directed Chicken & Biscuits which premiered on Broadway in 2021 and Patience which premiered at Second Stage UPTOWN Summer of 2022. Zhailon is also the former resident director at Tina: The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway and the associate director of Hadestown in South Korea.

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Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Concert Presentation, 2017
Performer

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2026]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2025]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2021] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Community Engagement Team.

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2026 - OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Zhailon Levingston , Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Tony Awards - 2026 - Best Direction of a Musical

Zhailon Levingston, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Drama Desk Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Zhailon Levingston, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Drama League Awards - 2025 - OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Zhailon Levingston, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Zhailon Levingston, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Videos

News


Photos: Men of Broadway Celebrate LIBERATION at Cocktail Party
by Stephi Wild - Jun 1, 2026

Ryan J. Haddad, Zhailon Levingston, Michael Mayer, Sam Pinkleton, Stark Sands, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson hosted the “Men of Broadway Celebrate Liberation” cocktail party, which was held at Dear Irving. Check out photos here!
Photos: Andrew Lloyd Webber Makes Guest DJ Appearance at CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 1, 2026

DJ WEBZ aka Andrew Lloyd Webber made a guest appearance in the DJ booth alongside original CATS star Ken Ard, who portrays DJ Griddlebone in the production of Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Check out photos here!
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Welcomes Andrew Lloyd Webber To the DJ Booth
by A.A. Cristi - May 29, 2026

A special guest took to the DJ booth at CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL on Broadway this week as composer Andrew Lloyd Webber made a surprise appearance at the Broadhurst Theatre. Watch the video!
Final Week to Vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards; THE LOST BOYS Leads Best New Musical
by Team BWW - May 29, 2026

There's just four days left to vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Performs 'The Jellicle Ball' on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - May 28, 2026

The cast of Broadway's Tony-nominated Cats: The Jellicle Ball brought the magic of ballroom to The View on Thursday, with a special performance of 'The Jellicle Ball.' Watch it now.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Extends on Broadway Through 2027
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 28, 2026

CATS: The Jellicle Ball has been extended at the Broadhurst Theatre. CATS: The Jellicle Ball, is directed by 2026 Tony Award nominees Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch.
Photos: Inside the New Dramatists Spring Luncheon Honoring Stephen Schwartz
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 27, 2026

The New Dramatists Annual Spring Luncheon, honoring multi-award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, was held in the Broadway Ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis. Check out photos here!
Video: Follow Robert 'Silk' Mason's Path to CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL in STAGEBOUND
by Josh Sharpe - May 26, 2026

A new episode of Stagebound has debuted, spotlighting Robert “Silk” Mason​​​​​​, who currently stars as Mr. Mistoffelees in Broadway's Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Watch the episode now, which takes the artist from rehearsals to previews to opening night.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Sets Performance on THE VIEW Next Week
by Josh Sharpe - May 22, 2026

The cast of Broadway's Tony-nominated Cats: The Jellicle Ball will bring ballroom to daytime television for a special performance on The View next week.
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Performs 'Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat' in the Subway
by Michael Major - May 22, 2026

The cast of Cats: The Jellicle Ball performed 'Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat' at 14th St - Union Square station as part of MTA Sessions. The performance was led by showstopper Emma Sofia. Watch the video now!
First Standings Revealed for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards
by Team BWW - May 22, 2026

The first standings have been revealed for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large.
Photos: Inside the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards
by Bruce Glikas - May 22, 2026

The Outer Critics Circle announced the winners of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards, and celebrated the winners of the 2025-2026 Broadway and Off-Broadway season at a ceremony. Check out photos here!
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast Performs at WNYC Concert Event
by Josh Sharpe - May 21, 2026

The cast of Broadway's Tony-nominated Cats: The Jellicle Ball joined WNYC on Thursday for a special appearance as part of the Broadway On The Radio series. Watch the hour-long event, featuring performances from André de Shields and more.
Photos: WELL, I’LL LET YOU GO Celebrates Opening Night
by A.A. Cristi - May 16, 2026

Bubba Weiler’s Well, I’ll Let You Go officially opened at Studio Seaview. The stars came out for opening night, including insert and Julia Chan, Micaela Diamond, Susannah Flood, Sam Gold, Zhailon Levingston, N'yomi Allure Stewart, Bess Wohl. Check out photos of the production.
Photos: Behind the Scenes with the 2026 Tony Award Nominees for Musicals
by Jennifer Broski - May 16, 2026

Earlier this week, the Tony nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there to speak with all of them! Check out photos from behind the scenes with the nominees as they chatted with Richard Ridge and passed on our very own Tiny Tony.
2026 Drama League Awards Winners- Joshua Henry, MEXODUS, LIBERATION Win Big
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026

The best of Broadway and off-Broadway were on hand at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. Check out a full list of winners here.
Photos: Hanging with the 2026 Tony Award Nominees
by Bruce Glikas - May 15, 2026

It's Tonys season! A total of 129 Tony Award nominations went out in 26 categories for the spectacular work of Broadway artists this season. All of the nominees were celebrated yesterday as they met the press for the first time. Check out photos from inside the big day here!
Photos: Meet the 2026 Tony Award Nominees
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026

Just yesterday, the 2026 Tony Award nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out photos of the 2026 nominees here!
Photos: Jason Weaver, Jacob Latimore, & Birgundi Baker Visit CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL
by Josh Sharpe - May 13, 2026

On Tuesday, May 12, stars Jason Weaver, Jacob Latimore, and Birgundi Baker of The Chi supported the show's creator, Lena Waithe, with a visit to CATS: The Jellicle Ball, produced by Waithe. Take a look at photos from their visit here.
Sierra Boggess, Liz Callaway and More to Perform at 70th Drama Desk Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 8, 2026

The Drama Desk Awards has revealed the line-up of special performances and tributes for the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards, taking place Sunday, May 17, 2026 at The Town Hall.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Zhailon Levingston been nominated for?

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (Drama League Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (Drama League Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball and Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball.

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Videos


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