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NOW

THEN

DIRECTING

Sammy believes that creating thoughtful and innovative stories for young audiences is essential for our next generation of dreamers, with a commitment to anti-racist and inclusive narratives. As a director, he utilizes tools from digital media, commedia del'arte, dance, yoga, and mis-en-scène movement to provide young audiences with a visceral theatre experience.

He is the first resident director of New York City Children's Theater (NYCCT) and developed the virtual production of SAME SAME, BUT DIFFERENT that was streamed for young audiences during the pandemic in the United States and India. To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of NYCCT, he directed the 2021 Story-Land Cabaret that re-opened the theatre's in-person programming and toured the five New York boroughs. Currently, he is co-directing the adaptation of the book FISH IN A TREE with his collaborator Melissa Jessel which will play off-Broadway in 2023. Other shows in development include the new sequel to INTERSTELLAR CINDERELLA and RUN ABUELITA RUN! / ¡CORRE ABUELITA CORRE!, an original story inspired by his Abuelita.

In 2022 he co-directed the London workshop of BRADICAL & THE PINK SOCKS, a new family musical by Melissa Rose Hirsch & Christopher Hlinka, with original songs by Preston Max Allen. Previously, he co-directed, produced & designed the 20-minute "Zoom Edition" that streamed on the digital platform Broadway On Demand. The production will be making its London premiere in 2023.

Other directing highlights include A LETTER TO AUNTIE ROSA by Angelica Chéri with original a cappella music by RANGE Music, THE WHITE PEACOCK at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe created by Celia Madeoy, in addition to various concerts at the Laurie Beechman Theater, The Cutting Room, and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.
While attending Syracuse University, Sammy was the president of BLACK BOX PLAYERS (a student-run theatre company) and the assistant director for the mainstage production of 'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE, which inspired him to start his own theatre company post-graduation. From 2013—2017 he was the Producing Artistic Director & Co-Founder of Diverging Elements Theatre Co., a non-profit that created "Stories in 4D", an interactive multimedia storytelling experience with performances, talkbacks and hands-on crafts individually created to promote and explore stories written and illustrated by local New York authors and artists. Within this program, they adapted eleven children's books into short plays, which included a study guide specific for each story. The company collaborated closely with Strand Book Store, Barnes and Noble, Book Culture and performed at The Children's Museum of Manhattan, JCC Manhattan, and local NYC schools.

As a performer, Sammy worked at Cabrillo Stage, Syracuse Stage, and toured the country in SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL and the Syracuse Stage Regional Children's Tour of A THOUSAND CRANES. He is a proud graduate of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. 

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