John Stefaniuk - Director
A native of Toronto, Canada, and alum of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, John began his career as the Artistic Director for Stagedoor Manor in New York. There he directed numerous productions with young actors like Natalie Portman and Bryce Howard. John next worked as a Resident Director for Cameron Macintosh and JAR Productions on Hey Mr. Producer!
John was the World Wide Associate Director for Disney's The Lion King based with the Broadway Production. He has directed productions of Disney's The Lion King in Paris, London, Sydney, Sao Paulo, Madrid, Mexico City, Amsterdam, Singapore, Taipai and Johannesburg. As Well as two national tours and one UK National tour.
John directed a new production of Billy Elliot in Sao Paulo , Brazil for which he won the critics choice award for best musical. He also directed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for Atelier in Sao Paulo for which he was nominated for a Bibi Award. His production of Evita Open Air was heralded as one of the top 10 moments for Andrew Lloyd Webber of 2022.
John’s TV credits include Dancing with the Stars, The TONY Awards, The Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebration and America Celebrates, in the presence of The President and First Lady, and The White House State Dinner 2014 in the presence of the First Lady, Michelle Obama. John appeared on The View in a segment directing Whoopi Goldberg and in the Biography Channel's Portrait of Natalie Portman. John was also the director of the World Premier of Dancer, a Musical in Ten Furlongs for the Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto. He also directed a segment of Disney on Broadway featuring Aladdin, Frozen and Lion King live in Time Square for Good Morning America, John acted as the movement director for Josh Groban in Disney's Beauty and the Beast 30th Anniversary o.n ABC ad Disney Plus.
Most recently, John has directed a new non-replica production of Wicked in Sao Paulo working with Stephen Schwartz.
John Stefaniuk- Director