Rachel Chavkin
Director, Writer
Tony Award-winning Director, Writer, and Dramaturg Rachel Chavkin is one of the most distinctive and innovative directors working on Broadway. She is best known for her award-winning musicals Hadestown and Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812.
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Full Bio
Tony Award-winning Director, Writer, and Dramaturg Rachel Chavkin is one of the most distinctive and innovative directors working on Broadway. She is best known for her award-winning musicals Hadestown and Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812.
A longtime staple of the off-Broadway scene, Chavkin has become recognized for her visceral directing style and seamless blend of experimental avant-garde with the traditional Broadway aesthetic. In her speaking engagements, she discusses the importance of diversity in theater, both in diversity of talent and in the incorporation of diverse elements in order to create innovative work.
After a twisty 13-year road to Broadway, Chavkin’s Hadestown finally opened in March 2019. Released to critical acclaim, the New York Times called it “sumptuous, hypnotic” and “gorgeous,” while the WSJ ranked it as “the best new musical of the season.” Based on the music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell, Hadestown is a folksy reimagining of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. It received 14 Tony nominations, winning eight, including for Best Musical and Best Original Score, and earned Chavkin a Tony, Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Director of a Musical.
In 2016, Chavkin directed Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1912, based on a 70-page segment from Tolstoy’s War and Peace. The show was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, winning two, while Chavkin was nominated for Best Direction of a Musical, and won an Obie Award, Elliot Norton Award, a Drama Desk Award, and several others for Best Director.
She is the founding artistic director of Brooklyn-based group the TEAM, an ensemble dedicated to creating new work about the experience of living in modern America. They have performed all over the U.K., including at the National Theatre, the Royal Court, and in multiple collaborations with the National Theatre of Scotland.
Chavkin’s first film, Remind Me, was an official selection of the Venice and Beverly Hills Film Festivals. Proud NYTW Usual Suspect and Member SDC.
She is currently working with composer Dave Malloy on an adaptation of Moby Dick.
Chavkin earned her BFA at NYU where she now serves on the directing faculty at Playwrights Horizons Theater School and earned her MFA at Columbia University.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
STAGE PRESENCE: BRINGING DIVERSITY TO THE THEATER
UPSTAGE: FUSING AVANT-GARDE AND COMMERCIAL THEATER
FAMILY FRIENDLY: FROM “NONTRADITIONAL” TO NEW NORMS
Videos
The Art of the Rehearsal - Interview with Rachel Chavkin
Rachel Chavkin Tony Speech for Best Direction (Hadestown)
News
Testimonials
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