Melanie Herman

Producer

Melanie Herman began her producing career in the 1970’s as founder and artistic director of The Bank – a groundbreaking off-Broadway and innovative multimedia company in Brooklyn Heights. Among her many early credits, she served as associate producer Off-Broadway of Candaules Commissioner, which launched her commercial producing career. During her early years as an emerging producer, Ms. Herman was cited by renowned journalist Vincent Canby on the front page of the Arts and Leisure section of The New York Times, exclaiming “…Brooklyn banners waived high for the youngest producer emerging in the Broadway and off-Broadway scene!” It was at the York Theater where Ms. Herman first discovered a new, original musical comedy The Musical Of Musicals (The Musical!).

After a sold-out run at The York, she re-opened it at the prestigious New World Stages, garnering unanimous critical acclaim and completed a combigned run of over 500 performances.  Since then, it has had numerous productions across the country, with 25 additional productions slated for the near future. Most recently, Melanie successfully co-produced the West End premiere of The Musical Of Musicals (The Musical!) to unanimous raves, as well as the recent acclaimed London revival of Side By Side By Sondheim.

The York Theatre Company

Producer

(winner of a special Drama Desk Award for developing and producing new musical theatre) is the only theater in New York City—and one of very few in the world—dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals, as well as preserving gems from the past.  For more than three decades, York’s intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and rarely seen classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike.  Under the guidance of Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused exclusively on new musicals in its Mainstage Series–most of them world, American, or New York premieres—by some of the field’s most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 30 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York productions as The Musical of Musicals –The Musical!, Souvenir, Captain Louie, Jolson & Company, and acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. York’s Musicals in Mufti Series, which offers rarely seen works from the past, has presented more shows than any other musical theatre concert series in the world, and is the first series to present works from on Broadway and Off-, as well as from London’s West End. The York’s Developmental Reading Series, which presents over 40 free readings of new musicals every year, was the incubator for the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Avenue Q, among many other significant shows.

Lynne Taylor-Corbett

Director/Choreographer

Two-time Tony® nominee, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, is known for her work in theatre, dance and film.  In addition to Swing! On Broadway, she directed My Vaudeville Man (Lucille Lortel nomination) and Wanda's World (Joe Callaway Award, Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk nomination) off Broadway. Her new show, Reel to Real, is an interaction between classic film footage and live action, produced by Broadway Asia in collaboration with the government of China. It will be seen as  part of the Edinburgh Festival this summer of 2010. Upcoming projects include a new production of Seven Deadly Sins for the New York City Ballet in May 2011.

She has previously created works for New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and is the guest resident choreographer of The Carolina Ballet. Her film credits include Footloose, My Blue Heaven and Bewitched. Ms. Taylor-Corbett is a member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers, an advisory board member of Rosie's Broadway Kids, and proud mother of actor, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, presently playing Sonny in the national tour of In the Heights.

Shonn Wiley

Actor & Co-Choreographer (NYMF & YORK THEATRE)

Shonn Wiley’s recent credits include No, No, Nanette (Tom, Encores!); Hot N’ Cole (Westport Playhouse); Candide (New York City Opera).  Broadway:  Dracula (Jack Seward); 42^nd Street (Revival); Never Gonna Dance (Workshop).  Off-Broadway: Saved (Playwrights Horizon); Stairway To Paradise (Encores!); Thrill Me (York); The View From Here (cast album); All Singing, All Dancing I  (“The Inappropriate Medley” with wife, Meredith Patterson).  Regional credits include Ragtime; Secret Garden; Little Night Music; Big River; I Love A Piano; Forever Plaid; Camille Claudel; Brigadoon; Crazy For You; Footloose.  TV & film appearances include “The Guiding Light” and the upcoming feature films Tiny Dancer, Red Hook, and Confessions Of A Shopoholic.