Gail Benedict
Director/Choreographer
Actor/Singer/Dancer/Lyricist/Musician

Professional Affiliations:

  • Actors' Equity Association
  • Screen Actors' Guild
  • American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Education:
  • ABD - Educational Psychology, University of Louisville (2003)
  • MFA - Directing and Choreography, University of Louisville (1999)
  • BFA - Choreography and Theatre, California Institute of the Arts (1973)
  • Berlitz School of Language, French, NYC, NY (1980)
  • Neighborhood Playhouse, Professional Acting Program, NYC, NY (1978-80)
  • San Mateo School of Ballet, Richard Gibson, (1966-1970)
  • Peninsula Conservatory of Music, Burlingame, CA (violin - 1964-1970)
Post-Graduate Professional Arts Education: 1973 - to date (ongoing)
  • Acting: Bill Esper, Stella Adler, Michael Howard, Bobby Lewis, Leonard Peters
  • Directing: Jon Jory, Bobby Lewis, Playwrites' Horizons Director's Workshop
  • Voice: Paul Gavert, Jeanette Lovetri
  • Dance: (Master Teachers with whom I studied at length) Donald McKayle, Bella Lewitsky, Andre Egelevsky, Richard Gibson, Mia Slavenska, Maggie Black, Finis Jhung, Merce Cunningham, Joyce Trisler, Alvin Ailey, Mary Hinkson, Billy Siegenfeld, Jeannie Hill, Gwen Verdon, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennet, Lee Theodore, Tony Stevens, Lea Vivante, Steve Granger, Micki Granger

Performance Experience: Actor/Singer/Dancer

Broadway:
Me and My Girl Dir. Mike Ockrent Lady Lady Jacquie
Raggedy AnnDir. Pat BirchThe Bat
42nd StreetDir. Gower ChampionPeggy Sawyer
Dancin' **Dir. Bob FossePrincipal Dancer
Finian's RainbowJones Beach, NYSusan the Silent
Pal JoeyCircle in the Square, NYFeatured Player
Please Don't Step on My Olive Branch**Dir. Jonathan KarmonPrincipal Dancer
Dr. Jazz**Dir. Donald McKayleFeatured Player and assistant choreographer

Regional Theatre:
A Christmas CarolActors' Theatre of LouisvilleMrs.Dickens/Cratchit
To Kill a MockingbirdATLStephanie Crawford
The CocoanutsATLPenelope Martyn
In Darkest AmericaATLEileen Stanley
The Pink StudioATLCharisse/Nicole
Meet Me in St. LouisMiami Valley, OHMrs. Smith
The King and IFalmouth, KYMrs. Anna
42nd StreetMill Mountain, VADorothy Brock
Fiddler on the RoofHampton Playhouse, NHGolde
Me and My GirlHampton Playhouse, NHLady Jacquie
NunsenseHampton Playhouse, NHSister Hubert
A Chorus LineWaltham, MACassie
The SeagullUniversity Of LouisvilleArkadina

National Equity Tours:
A Chorus LineDir. Baayork LeeSheila
42nd StreetDir. Gower ChampionPeggy Sawyer
Dancin'Dir. Gail BenedictLead

Film:
Assisted LivingIndependentKathy
The Best Little Whorehouse in TexasUniversal PicturesEloise
The FanParamount PicturesLeslie
American RetrospectiveUSCRita Hayworth
Corner BoysIndependentDirector
The AssignmentNYULead
The WedgeIndependentLead

Television:
One Life to LiveABCChantal
Century HillCBSTricia
Salute to BroadwayHBOGuest Artist
Bob Hope's Birthday Specials '79, '81NBCGuest Artist

National Commercials:
Dr. PepperPrincipal Dancer
McDonald'sPrincipal on Camera
Leggs PantyhoseChoreographer
Welch's Drink BoxChoreographer

Industrials:
Coca-Cola Talent ContestLouisville, KY 1996 - 2004(Choreographer)
Phantom of the CapitolWashington, D.C.Principal
I Love NYInternational TourPrincipal
New York TelephoneNew York HiltonEnsemble
IBM Miami, FLEnsemble
Milliken Breakfast ShowWaldorf Astoria, NYEnsemble

Dance Companies:
The American Dance MachineDir. Lee TheodoreNew York
Inner City Repertory Dance CompanyDir. Donald McKayleLos Angeles
Rec Russel Dance CompanyDir. Rec RusselSan Francisco

Directing

CowgirlsPleiades Theatre, Louisville, KY 2007
Bob Fosse's Dancin'National & International Tours 1980-1986
Just a Few Days (and writer)University of Louisville
A Chorus LineMusic Theatre of Louisville
Viva L'AmourHamburg, Germany
Nine Young Men From KYYouth Performing Arts School, Louisville, KY
Sophisticated LadiesYPAS
Legally BlondeYPAS
Hair SprayYPAS
Shrek - the MusicalYPAS
Big RiverYPAS
Thoroughly Modern MillieYPAS
Seussical the MusicalYPAS
BoudicaYPAS (book and lyrics/director)
S(h)ea Pyrates of the CarribeanYPAS (book and lyrics/director)
NineYPAS
42nd StreetYPAS
Kiss Me KateYPAS
The CrucibleYPAS
Crazy for YouYPAS
West Side StoryYPAS
Pirates of PenzanceYPAS
CinderellaYPAS
PinnochioYPAS
Louisville's Next GenerationYPAS
The Wedge (and writer)Independent film
The Flying Chocolate Bed (writer)Independent film

Choreography: Musical Plays

DraculaActors' Theatre of Louisville
Fit for FeetATL
The Lively LadATL
My WayATL
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in KindergartenATL
The Glass Christmas TreeStage One, (KET) Louisville, KY
A Christmas CarolATL
The Beaux StrategemATL
42nd StreetMill Mountain & Youth Performing Arts School
A Chorus LineMusic Theatre of Louisville
BrigadoonMTL
Anything GoesMTL
Dancin'NY - Choreographic Assistant to Bob Fosse
Dr. JazzNY - Choreographic Assistant to Donald McKayle
Me and My GirlHampton Playhouse, NH
CarouselNorth Shore Music Theatre, MA
Lady Be GoodNorth Shore Music Theatre, MA
CinderellaYPAS
PinocchioYPAS
Kiss Me KateYPAS
Pirates of PenzanceYPAS
West Side StoryYPAS

Concert Dance Choreography

Romance in Swingtime (Ballroom/Ballet)Ball State University
Kickin' It With Fred (Concert Tap)University of WY
Jammin' The Sham (Concert Tap)University of WY
Ancient Voices (Modern/Tap Synthesis)YPAS
Beat Me Beethoven 8 to the Bar (Jazz/Tap Synthesis)YPAS
Persona (Modern)Art! Art! Barking Dog Dance Company
Say, What? (Modern)YPAS
Ceremonies of the Heart (Modern)YPAS
Amazons in Swingland (Modern Jazz)YPAS
Makin' Magic (Theatre Jazz)YPAS

Pictorial History of Gail's Theatrical Career

Click on each photograph to enlarge it and see its title.

Some of Gail's Favorite Videos

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