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  • Kenneth Sawyer

Ken Sawyer

Adjunct Lecturer

Biography

Ken Sawyer is an award-winning director based in Los Angeles, California. His work has spanned a wide range of venues with projects that include musicals, plays, experimental theatre, concerts and special events.

Ken began his artistic education at the Arts Magnet Performing Arts High School in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from New York’s prestigious The Juilliard School where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. As an actor, he toured the United States with John Houseman’s Acting Company before settling in Los Angeles.

His collaboration with Jon Imparato and the Los Angeles LGBT Center further built his reputation as a lover of theater that not only entertains and thrills the senses but also tackles challenging and thought-provoking issues.

Ken continues his interest in developing new and exciting work. Highlights include collaborating with Emmy Award winner Paris Barclay on the Vietnam-era musical One Red Flower, with rock icons Charlotte Caffey (the GoGos) and Anna Waronker (That Dog) on Lovelace: The Rock Opera, with Stephen Schwartz and David Stern on the development of Snapshots, with Colin Escott on development of the Broadway hit Million Dollar Quartet, and with legends Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner in re-imagining The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe for a full cast.

Ken believes that the excitement of theatre should be instilled in younger generations and takes great pride in working with students whenever possible. He has worked as a guest director for Carnegie Mellon University, USC, and California State University, Northridge. He has also served as a guest advisor/mentor at The California Institute of the Arts and the University of Southern California.

Education

The Juilliard School