Shanda Sawyer’s work as a Director, Choreographer, and Executive Producer has garnered numerous awards including two Emmys, a Gracie, a Peabody, and six American Choreography Award and World Choreography Award nominations.
Sawyer’s early entertainment career began at age 14, as a street performer in San Francisco – where she learned early on that unless you immediately engage an audience visually and emotionally, they’ll just keep walking. While earning a degree in Theater Arts from USF, she formed a hybrid Comedy/theater/dance company that became a cult hit in SF nightclubs, and created site-specific shows for the De Young Museum, New York Public Library, Absolut, Levi’s, and L’Oréal.
Sawyer’s credits as a creative director and choreographor include television shows such as HBO’s The Sympathizer, network series such as House MD, Las Vegas, Ghost Whisperer, and Keenen Ivory Wayans, as well as six music videos for Blake Shelton’s TEXOMA SHORE album, videos for Chris Rock, Hammer and many top Asian artists, and commercials for Levi’s, Nestlé, Nintendo, Yoplait, Carnival Cruise, Disney and Pepsi.
In the world of live entertainment, Sawyer was recently tapped to reimagine and direct NYC’s iconic BIG APPLE CIRCUS – resulting in the highest audience approval ratings in the show’s history. Sawyer was also honored to create the MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! arena franchise – writing the original concept that brought Marvel, Disney Theatricals, and Feld Entertainment together and serving as Director and Co-Writer for the first global tour. Sawyer collaborated with a world-class creative team – combining cutting-edge media and technology, spectacular stunts, and an action-driven narrative to create a uniquely immersive, theatrical experience.
Sawyer’s entree to the world of circus came when she was chosen to re-imagine the RINGLING BROS. & Barnum and Bailey Circus. She completely re-designed this American entertainment icon; transforming the performance space, incorporating video, a narrative storyline, and a fresh musical score – leading Ringling to a decade of increased revenues and record-breaking ticket sales. The NY Times praised her show ZING ZANG ZOOM as “an artful eyeful, liberally spiced with mystifying magic.”
Sawyer collaborated with Broadway Asia and China’s CPAA to direct CHINA GOES POP, The show debuted to sold-out audiences at the EDINBURGH FRINGE Festival and toured China and Europe.
Sawyer has served for over a decade as creative director and choreographer for Viet music company THUY NGA’s spectacular international productions, creating innovative concerts and music videos for top Asian music stars.
Sawyer transitioned into media directing through her work in music videos and commercials, directing shows for FOX, ABC, DISNEY, and COMEDY CENTRAL. Sawyer executive produced and directed the critically acclaimed docu/comedy series Who Needs Hollywood? for Oxygen, winning the Gracie Allen Award for Best Reality show, and was tapped to create and direct the Michael Kidd Tribute for the ACADEMY AWARDS. Her directing has fueled the success of shows like Queer Eye, The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show, The Man Show, Miss America, and World’s Greatest Stunts.
She is currently developing mixed-reality, immersive theatrical experiences with incubator group 5th WALL.
Sawyer is a proud member of the DGA, AMPAS, and the SDC.