Lauren Haughton Gillis is an international director, choreographer, educator, and former Broadway performer whose work is rooted in the traditions of musical theatre while exploring contemporary approaches to storytelling, movement, and performance. Her artistic practice bridges the professional and academic theatre worlds, with a particular interest in developing the next generation of musical theatre artists.

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Lauren has produced, directed, and choreographed productions for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS throughout the United States and Canada with the national touring companies of Hamilton, Wicked, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and The Book of Mormon. She has also helped create and currently maintains productions as Director/Choreographer for Virgin Voyages International.

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She made her New York City directing debut at The Cutting Room with the new musical The Magic Hummingbird. Lauren was selected for an observership with Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Graciela Daniele on The Gardens of Anuncia at The Old Globe prior to its subsequent run at Lincoln Center. Her directing and choreographic credits include work with La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Musical Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, Ripley-Grier Studios, Constellation Stage & Screen, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, Forestburgh Playhouse, Okoboji Summer Theatre, Festival 56, Cardinal Stage, Indiana University, San Diego State University, Northwestern University, the Jacobs School of Music Opera & Ballet Theater, and the Broadway San Diego Awards (a qualifier for the Jimmy Awards). Most recently, she served as a Final Round Judge for the Applause Awards (another qualifier for the Jimmy Awards).

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As a performer, Lauren appeared on Broadway in Wicked. She was a member of the original casts of Turn of the Century, directed by Tommy Tune at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre; Sammy, with music by Leslie Bricusse at The Old Globe; and Hans Christian Andersen, with music by Maury Yeston at Maine State Music Theatre. Her television credits include Disney+’s Encore! (the Annie episode), directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and choreographed by Melinda Sullivan, as well as a guest-starring role as Lori on Guiding Light.

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Lauren currently serves as BFA Director of Music Theatre at Florida State University. Previously, she was Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Indiana University Bloomington, where she received the 2022 Trustees Teaching Award. She currently serves as the President at Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance International (MTEA) and holds certifications from the Jacob’s Pillow Curriculum in Motion Institute (CIMI) and the Lynn Simonson Jazz Technique Teacher Workshop.

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Lauren earned a BFA from Syracuse University and an MFA from San Diego State University. In 2026, she and her collaborator, Dr. Brandon Magid, secured a book contract with Routledge for a forthcoming textbook on Musical Theatre swing curriculum and pedagogy in higher education. 

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Upcoming directing and choreographing projects include a regional production of Hairspray and an academic production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.