Stephen Santa is a NYC-based theatre director, arts educator and advocate. He is an energetic collaborator with a drive to develop bold new work. His versatile point of view gives him the ability to stage full-scale musicals to intimate plays. He is the former Artistic Director of The Omaha Community Playhouse, the largest community-based theater in the United States. 

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Stephen Santa is the co-founder and former Artistic Director of Jumping Jack Theater- a children's theater production company that creates original works for audiences that would benefit from sensory and autism-friendly strategies. Jumping Jack Theater has produced works including The Light Princess, CityScape, and Starshine!

 

He directed the concert workshop of Abduction: A New Musical Comedy for the New York Musical Festival. Santa’s love of developing new works was evident in his direction of workshops, including TEETH (Pulitzer Prize winner Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs) and UNCHARTED: The Music of Anna K. Jacobs, at the famed Ars Nova Theatre.

 

Santa was Assistant Director of the Flashdance National Tour, the North American premiere of The Monster in the Hall, and POP! A New Musical choreographed by Billy Porter at CITY Theatre. His critically acclaimed production of Dani Girl A New Musical, traveled to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, where it received multiple five-star reviews.

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With more than 20 years of experience in arts education, Stephen has dedicated his career to using the performing arts as a tool for learning, creativity, and community engagement. His work has included leading arts education programs in schools, camps, and community organizations, with extensive experience serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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​He currently serves as the Executive Artistic Assistant for Truworthy Production and TONY Award winner Sergio Trujillo.  Projects include Real Women Have Curves (Broadway), Jesus Christ Superstar (Hollywood Bowl), On Broadway (Film), and Damn Yankees (Broadway).

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Stephen is a proud member of The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.