LORNA VENTURA
Director / Choreographer / Resident Choreographer
Master Class Teacher / Guest Artist / Guest Speaker
“I look to combine raw, explosive movement with subtle pedestrian transitions where characters move because they must, because it is the only logical progression.”
My first exposure to dance was when my Puerto Rican mother, asked my Jewish grandmother, to take me to the local church basement, for an African Dance Class. I was taken over by the music, transfixed by the power and beauty of the movement. That studio and community quickly became family, and their timbale rhythms still run through my veins.
Lorna’s exceptional career includes work on the Original Broadway productions of shows such as Wicked, Grease, All Shook Up, Harlem Song, and Nice Work If You Can Get It — as an Original Cast Member or Associate Choreographer — alongside acclaimed talent like Idina Menzel, Stephanie J. Block, Kristen Chenowith, Rosie O’Donnell, Ben Vereen, and Joel Grey.
Her collaborations and relationships with elite directors such as George C. Wolfe (Harlem Song), Joe Mantello, (Wicked), Charles Randolph Wright (Guys & Dolls, Me & Mrs Jones), Jerry Mitchell (Grease) and Kathleen Marshall (Nice Work if you Can Get It) have allowed her to hone her craft and transition with grace into the Director/Choreographer’s seat.
Lorna’s unique talents have been recognized many times over by some of the most sought after industry showcases for emerging Broadway Choreographers, including BC Beats (2013), Dance Break (2011), and the NY Musical Theater Festival (2010–11 Honorable Mention, Outstanding Achievement in Choreography, Frog Kiss the Musical). Her original work has been showcased at the Ailey CitiGroup Legros Cultural Arts Showcase, and most recently she was chosen for an Artist’s Residency with Frantic Assembly in London, where she premiered new work.
Equally impressive are Lorna’s on-screen credits, where her eclectic choreography can be seen on films such as Kate & Leopold and It Runs In the Family, working alongside directors James Mangold and Fred Scheppisi. She was also the in house Choreographer on the CW’s Gossip Girl, seasons 1 to 4; and The Carrie Diaries, seasons 1 and 2. She has worked directly with celebrities such as Hugh Jackman, Meg Ryan, Michael Douglas, Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Chance Crawford, Sophia Anna Robb, and many others.
Lorna’s directorial debut, Jack & Jill, was screened at the Tribeca Theater, Hot Docs Festival and received a Best Short nomination at the Female Eye Film Festival. Her first feature documentary, The Dancer Chronicles, screened internationally (Female Eye, Docutah, New Filmmakers NY and Women in Film festivals) and received distribution from Parallel Lines. Lorna also directed and choreographed the official music video for Blues Hand Me Down Acoustic Version by the dynamic band Vintage Trouble.
Her passion for the development of new works has taken form in recent productions such at Roundabout Theater, The Amen Corner (Development Series, Assistant Director to Billy Porter); Stage 42, Trip of Love (Assistant Choreographer); and Gypsy of the Year, 2018 (Choreographer, Opening Number), The Mercury Theater, The Bardy Bunch (Choreographer/Producer), Olmstead Theater, Hopper (with Anton Dudley and Jonathan Brooke); as well as serving as Resident Choreographer and Creative Associate on Women on Fire (Chris Henry), Anne of Green Gables (Chris Henry), and You, Me, I, We (Jessica Wu), at Royal Family Productions.
Vested in helping underrepresented artists — particularly female artists — find a platform for their voices, Lorna has partnered with a select group of nonprofits while nurturing corporate relationships to further the works of key community organizations such as Latina Surge, Queens Council on the Arts, Broadway Cares, and Royal Family Theater Company, where she serves as Resident Choreographer and Creative Consultant. Lorna is also Adjunct Professor and Guest Choreographer/Director at Tisch University, Manhattan School of Music, and Marymount College.
FILM, TV + VIDEO CREDITS
Blues Hand Me Down, Vintage Trouble, Director/Choreographer
Official Music Video
In My Arms, Vintage Trouble, Director/Choreographer
The Carrie Diaries, The CW, Choreographer
Gossip Girl, The CW, Choreographer
Adventures of Paul & Marian, Feature Film, Choreographer
Dancer Chronicles, Documentary, Director/Choreographer
Docutah, NYWIF, New Filmmakers Film Festival
It Runs in the Family, Feature Film, 2003, Choreographer
Kate & Leopold, Feature Film, 2001, Choreographer
Jack & Jill, Short Film, Director
Female Eye Film Festival, New Filmaker to Watch, New Filmakers, LAFF
THEATRE CREDITS
BROADWAY
Wicked, Performer, Original Broadway Company with Joe Mantello / Wayne Cilento
Grease, Performer, Original Broadway Company with Tommy Tune / Jeff Calhoun
How to Succeed in Business, Original National Tour with Des McAnuff / Wayne Cilento
All Shook Up, Associate Choreographer, Original Broadway Company with Christopher Ashley / Ken Roberson / Sergio Trujillo
The Life, Encores City Center, Associate Choreographer with Director Billy Porter Director
Nice Work If You Can Get It, Original Broadway Company, SDC Observer, Assistant to Kathleen Marshall
The Amen Corner, Roundabout Theater Company, Assistant Director with Multi-Award-Winning Director Billy Porter
Gypsy of the Year, New Amsterdam Theater, Opening Number Choreographer
REGIONAL
American Prophet, Arena Stage, Choreographer with Director Charles Randolph Wright
Christmas in Hell, Reinkus Heinz Theater, Las Vegas Director/Choreographer, Mostly Musicals
Frantic Assembly, Rich Mix Theatre, London, Resident Artist
The Bardy Bunch, Mercury Theatre, Chicago, Choreographer
With Director Jay Stern
“Lorna Ventura’s choreography is sometimes as much fun as a home visit from Davy Jones and a ride in a psychedelic bus combined.” – The New York Times
Frog Kiss The Musical, Virginia Stage, Choreographer
Outstanding Choreography Nominee, New York Musical Theatre Festival
Guys & Dolls, Associate Choreographer
With Maurice Hines and Acclaimed Director Charles Randolph Wright
Me & Mrs. Jones, Associate Choreographer
With Acclaimed Director Charles Randolph Wright
Altar Boyz, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Choreographer
With Multi-Award-Winning Director Billy Porter
Hopper, Olmstead Theatre, Choreographer
Hell is for Real, Fringe Festival 2015
OFF-BROADWAY
Trip of Love, Stage 42, Assistant Choreographer
Drop Dead Perfect, Theater at St. Clement’s, Choreographer
With Legendary Performer Everett Quinton
“[Mr. Quinton] reveals a talent for lewd Latin dance in the rollicking,
utterly shameless numbers devised by Lorna Ventura.” — The New York Times
Hell Is for Real, Fringe Festival 20, Choreographer
City of Light, SheNYC Summer Theater Festival
With Tony Award-Winning Cady Huffman, Director
Women on Fire I + II, Royal Family Productions, Resident Choreographer
Anne of Green Gables Parts I + II, Royal Family Productions, Resident Choreographer
“Their movement takes many impressive forms: from comical charades to shows of graceful choreography … together, this cast brings out every emotion to the fullest.” — Broadway World
“Performing contemporary and lyrical choreography by Lorna Ventura. The skilled dancers function best as the physical embodiment of Anne’s overactive emotions and imagination.” — Off Off Online
You, Me, I, We, Royal Family Productions, Resident Choreographer
Gershwin “That Certain Feeling”, Manhattan School of Music, Centennial Celebration, Co-Writer, Director/Choreographer
Beulah Land, Mabou Mines, Choreographer