“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium.”
-Martha Graham
Stephanie Klemons is an award-winning Director, Choreographer, and performer working on Broadway, TV, and film.
She has been part of the creative teams behind Hamilton, In the Heights, Bring It On & If/Then on Broadway, West End and Tours. She has choreographed for commercials and TV, going viral in 2018 with the “Time of My Life” NFL Superbowl commercial featuring Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. which often resurfaces on “Top SuperBowl Commercials of All-Time” lists.
As Director/Choreographer she made her debut at The Kennedy Center with a revival of In The Heights 2018 starring Vanessa Hudgens, Anthony Ramos, Eden Espinosa, and Anna Villafañe. She also helmed the production of the new musical Mozart:Her Story presented at Carnegie Hall, before a West End Special Presentation of the show at the world renowned Drury Lane Theater.
Off-Broadway she has choreographed productions of Rock & Roll Man (Directed by Randal Mylar), and Heathers (Directed by Andy Fickman) both at New World Stages, and A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet (Directed by Marshall Pailet) at DR2. Before she ever made her Broadway debut as a performer she choreographed Automatic Superstar Off-Broadway (Show, NYC), and Repo, The Genetic Opera Off-Off Broadway (RIP The Wings Theater). For New York City Children’s Theater she has Directed and Choreographed original productions of Pinocchio and This is Sadie at Theater Row for New York Children’s Theater.
Aside from various productions she has played a critical role in other projects including choreography for Netflix Original Series “HUNTED”, Victoria’s Secret commercials, VOGUEX George Michael Music Video, Sesame Street Episodes & NBA’s BROOKLYNETTES dance team.
Regional choreography best hits include FLY, Co-Choreographed with Andy Blankenbuehler at La Jolla Playhouse, Rock Of Ages at Drury Lane Chicago and PCLO, Gypsy at The Marriott Theater, In The Heights at Actors Playhouse, and Zelda (aka Waiting For The Moon) a new musical by Frank Wildhorn at Flatrock Playhouse.
Awards include a Drama Desk Award, and AACP Award for her role in In The Heights Off-Broadway, World Choreography Award Nominee for her Super Bowl commercial, Carbonell Award Nominee for Best Choreography and Winner for Best Musical for In The Heights, Grammy Award for the cast album of Hamilton, AUDELCO Award Nominee for Rock & Roll Man Off-Broadway.
She’s a passionate educator and philanthropist who is proud of the non-profit she founded some years ago called Katie’s Art Project that connects kids facing life-threatening and terminal illness with professional artists to create. She grew up in Central New Jersey. When she was growing up, Stephanie studied at a number of dance studios from Gallery of Dance, to Colts Neck Dance & Theater School, and finally Center Stage Dance & Theater School where teachers Mickey Defranco and George Warren would change her life with their emphasis on work ethic and cathartic performance.
She wanted to be on Broadway since before she remembers having a reason, so she doesn’t try to superimpose one. She is grateful to be employed in the field she is most passionate about and hopes to continue to create opportunities for herself and others to effect change through art.
Stephanie lives on the beach with her wife Colleen, their two sons and a cat, named Charlie.