byungkoo ahn, opera director, opera directing, stage director, theater director
STAGE DIRECTOR / TENOR / PLAYWRIGHT / THEATRE EDUCATOR
B R I A N B Y U N G K O O A H N
MFA, SDC
byungkoo ahn, opera director, opera directing, stage director, theater director, stage directing, ucla directing, brian ahn, hamyul
About
Byungkoo Ahn is an internationally recognized director whose work spans opera, theatre, and dance. Since making his directorial debut at the age of 20 with Cavalleria Rusticana at the National Theatre of Korea’s Young Theatre Festival, his productions have been staged in the United States, the United Kingdom, Korea, Italy, Germany, and the Czech Republic for nearly 30 years.
Ahn’s recent work, 13 Fruitcakes—which he conceived, directed, and produced—explores themes of identity, gender, and social change. Premiered at New York’s La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in 2019, the production was subsequently staged in Seoul in 2019, 2020 and 2023. It was officially selected for the 2020 Seoul International Performing Arts Festival, where its performance at one of Korea’s National Theatres was streamed on NAVER TV, amassing thousands of viewers during its four-hour streaming window.
13 Fruitcakes illuminates the lives of thirteen historical LGBTQ+ figures who shaped the world through their contributions to the arts, politics, literature, and science. Featuring poetry by Lorca, Whitman, Wilde, and Rimbaud set to music by Gihieh Lee—one of Korea’s leading musical theatre composers—the production was originally created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. It was highlighted by The New York Times as a must-see musical during World Pride 2019. Critic Eleanor Bader praised it as “a dazzling multi-media extravaganza celebrating LGBTQ lives throughout world history,” while BroadwayWorld’s Joe Lombardi described it as “frequently operatic and deeply emotional.”
The production was also invited to be part of the Korean Season at the 2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Due to the pandemic, a digital adaptation was presented at the 2021 Edinburgh Festival Fringe on Demand, where it garnered multiple four- and five-star reviews. Fringe Biscuit Magazine lauded its innovative digital execution, writing, “We are totally impressed by 13 Fruitcakes’ mastery of the digital theatre medium.” Additionally, the digital production was officially selected by the Korea Queer Film Festival as a feature-length film.
Ahn’s Korean adaptation of Hamlet, Hamyul/Hamlet (La MaMa ETC, 2011), exemplifies his commitment to interdisciplinary and intercultural collaboration. Blending Shakespearean texts with Asian aesthetics—including elements of Japanese Noh drama, Korean court dance and music, and Korean shamanism—the production received critical acclaim. The New York Times described it as “beguiling to watch, a reinterpretation with a dark mind all its own… creating a delicious mood of menace.” The Villager wrote, “Korean Hamlet casts shaman’s spell over Shakespeare’s long shadow,” while NYTheatre.com praised Ahn’s directorial vision, stating, “Byungkoo Ahn delivers grace amidst formality.”
Born into a distinguished Korean theatre family as a third-generation artist, Ahn studied theatre directing and design in Korea and the United States. He pursued graduate studies at UCLA as the first recipient of the MAMPIST Award from the Samsung Foundation of Culture before undergoing formal opera training in Italy and the Czech Republic. Additionally, he studied opera and art song interpretation for many years under the late Dr. Natalie Limonick, a world-renowned opera coach.
Before establishing himself as a freelance director, Ahn gained experience at prestigious institutions, interning at Los Angeles Opera, Opéra National de Paris, and Long Beach Opera. He also served as a stage director at California State University, Long Beach, directing multiple productions. As a performer, he appeared in Il Corvo, the opening production of the 2006 Venice Biennale.
Currently based in Seoul, Korea, Ahn teaches Directing, Acting, and Voice at various universities while continuing his work as a director. He is the founder and artistic director of Singing Actors Repertory Company, an ensemble dedicated to bridging the worlds of theatre, opera, and musical theatre through innovative performance and training. Ahn is also a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), reflecting his professional standing in the field. Additionally, he serves as a board member and resident artist at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York City.
Education
Master of Fine Arts
Theatre Directing
U.C.L.A., USA
Diploma
Voice
Konzervtor Brno, Czech Republic
Bachelor of Arts
Theater Directing
Dongguk University, Korea
Professional Diploma
Opera Vocal Performance Accademia Musicale “G. Donizetti”, Italy
Directing Credits
The Voyage: Musical Vignettes
The Merry Hall Theatre, Seoul, Korea, 2024
Director/Writer/Production Designer/Performer/Co-Producer
The National Institute of Organ, Tissue and Blood Management’s Life Sharing Grant production
The Korean Rhapsody
Spoleto Due Mondi Festival, La Mama Spoleto Open, Spoleto, Italy, 2024
Artistic Director/Co-Producer
Presented 5 Korean shows for the festival
The Voyage: Musical Vignettes
Spoleto Due Mondi Festival, La Mama Spoleto Open, Spoleto, Italy, 2024
Director/Writer/Production Designer/Performer/Co-Producer
The Voyage II: Musical Vignettes
Hooam Stage, Seoul, Korea, 2024
Director/Writer/Production Designer/Performer/Co-Producer
Hello, the Hell, Othello
The Good Theatre, Seoul, Korea, 2024
Director/Writer/Set and Costume Designer
Official Selection for the Korean Season at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
13 Fruitcakes
The National Jeongdong Theatre of Korea, Soeul, Korea, 2023
Director/Writer/Producer
Official Selection for the National Jeongdong Theatre’s 2023 Season.
Hello, the Hell, Othello*
Assembly Rooms, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 2023
Director/Writer/Set and Costume Designer
Official Selection for the Korean Season at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“MORE” Ziegfeld Follies*
The Festival dei due Mondi, La MaMa Spoleto Open, Spoleto, Italy, 2023
Director/Producer
One-person show featuring Korean drag performer, More.
Il canto di Cheoyong*
The Festival dei due Mondi, La MaMa Spoleto Open, Spoleto, Italy, 2023
Director/Producer
Devised theatre work based on the play of the same title by Chijin Yoo
The Marriage of Pi Galho*
The National Theatre, Seoul, Korea, 2021
Director
New operatic work based on the Marriage of Figaro.
Production of “Singing Actors Repertory Company” sponsored by “Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture”.
13 Fruitcakes
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh, UK, 2021
Director/Writer/Producer
Official Selection for the Korean Season at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Streamed online for 3 weeks due to COVID-19.
13 Fruitcakes
Korea Queer Film Festival, Seoul, Korea, 2021
Director/Writer/Producer
“Special Selection” for the Korea Queer Film Festival 2021 as a feature film.
Myungyeh, the Musical
Paju Civic Arts Center, Paju, Korea 2020
Director
A new Korean contemporary musical theatre.
Production of Paju Civic Arts Company.
1828, Yeon Kyung Dang*
National Gugak Center, Seoul, Korea 2020
Director/Writer
Korean Traditional Court Dance Production by the National Traditional Arts Company of Korea.
Recreation of Dance Manuscript by Prince Hyomyung Dating Back to 1828.
13 Fruitcakes
Seoul International Performing Arts Festival; ARKO Arts Theatre of Korea, Seoul, Korea 2020
Director/Writer/Producer
Official Selection for the SPAF. Experimental LGBTQ Musical Theatre. Production co-produced by “La MaMa ETC” and “Singing Actors Repertory Company”.
13 Fruitcakes
Baekam Art Hall, Seoul, Korea 2019
Director/Writer/Producer
Experimental LGBTQ Musical Theatre Production Co-Produced by “La MaMa ETC” and “Singing Actors Repertory Company”.
13 Fruitcakes*
La MaMa ETC, New York, New York 2019
Director/Writer/Producer
Experimental LGBTQ Musical Theatre Production Co-Produced by “La MaMa ETC” and “Singing Actors Repertory Company” as part of La MaMa’s Stonewall 50.
To You at the Speed of Light
JTN Theatre, Seoul, Korea, 2018
Director/co-Writer
A Musical Theatre Production by Lucky Blue Company
Three Women
Munhak Civic Theatre, Incheon, Korea, 2018
Director/co-W riter/Co-Producer
Experimental Opera based on La Bohem, La Traviata, and La Madama Butterfly featuring ‘The Singing Actors Group International’ Invited by the City of Incheon
Three Women, Admitted
La Mama Spoleto Open, Itlay, 2017
Director/Writer/Co-Producer
Experimental Opera based on La Bohem, La Traviata, and La Madama Butterfly featuring ‘The Singing Actors Group International’
Tre Donne, Ammesse
La Mama Spoleto Open, Itlay, 2017
Director/Writer/Co-Producer
Experimental Opera based on La Bohem, La Traviata, and La Madama Butterfly featuring ‘The Singing Actors GroupInternational’
Three Women, Admitted
The National Theatre, Seoul, Korea, 2017
Director/Writer/Co-Producer
Experimental Opera based on La Bohem, La Traviata, and La Madama Butterfly featuring ‘The Singing Actors Group International’
Voyage: Musical Vignettes
HamburgerSprechwerk, Hamburg, Germany, 2017
Director/Writer/Production Designer/Performer/Co-Producer
A Series of Musical Vignettes/mini operas with German Art Songs.
Featuring ‘The Cole Laptop Ensemble’, US and ‘The Singing Actors Group’, Korea.
Voyage: Musical Vignettes
Kulturhaus ‘alte feuerwache’, Berlin, Germany, 2017
Director/Writer/Production Designer/Performer/Co-Producer
A Series of Musical Vignettes/mini operas with German Art Songs.
Featuring ‘The Cole Laptop Ensemble’, US and ‘The Singing Actors Group’, Korea.
Dido and Aeneas, Admitted
The National Theatre of Korea, Seoul, Korea, 2016
Director/Co-Producer
An Adaptation of an Opera by Henry Purcell featuring ‘The Singing Actors Group International’
Nakrang
Bucheon Civic Stadium, Bucheon, Korea, 2015
Director
A Circus Musical Theatre Production by Buchoen Symphony Orchestra and Dongchun Circus Company.
Days & Nights, Four Chekhovian Interludes
Art Theatre Moon, Seoul, Korea, 2015 Director/Playwright
Four theatrical adaptations of A. Chekhov’s short stories.
The Rite of Autumn: Rituals and Celebrations
Naru Centre for the Arts, Seoul, Korea, 2013
Director/Writer/Co-Producer
7 Musical Vignettes by Brian Byungkoo Ahn and Opera Music Gala featuring ‘The Singing Actors Group International’.
Brian Ahn’s 7 Musical Veignettes
Sungam Arts Centre, Seoul, Korea, 2013
Director/Music Director/Writer/Co-Producer
7 Musical Vignettes by Brian Byungkoo Ahn featuring ‘The Singing Actors Group International’.
Voyage: Musical Vignettes
La MaMa Spoleto Open, Spoleto Due Mondi Festival, Italy, 2013
Director/Writer/Production Designer/Performer/Co-Producer
The world premiere of the series of Musical Vignettes/mini operas with German art songs. Featuring ‘The Cole Laptop Ensemble’, US and ‘The Singing Actors Group’, Korea.
The Merry Widow
Naru Centre for the Arts, Seoul, Korea, 2013
DirectorProduction of Kim Haknam Opera Company.
Jonah
The National Theatre of Korea, Seoul, Korea, 2013
Director/Performer/Co-Production Designer/Co-Producer
New oratorio by JY Choi. Featuring ‘The Singing Actors Group’.
A Joke
The National Theatre of Korea, Seoul, Korea, 2013
Director/Book/Lyrics/Co-Production Designer/Co-Producer
New musical theater composed by JY Choi. Featuring ‘The Singing Actors Group’.
Love and Dream, Painted with Songs
The National Theatre of Korea, Seoul, Korea, 2013
Director/Writer/Production Designer/Co-Producer/Music Director
Opera/Musical Theater Gala and 3 New Musical Vignettes. Featuring ‘The Singing Actors Group’.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Kookmin Main Theatre, Seoul, Korea, 2012
Director
Kookmin University Theatre Program production.
Mozart Opera Highlights
The National Theatre of Korea, Seoul, Korea, 2012
Director
Korean Chamber Opera Company’s 4-hour excerpts from Le nozze di Figaro, Cosi fan tutte, Don Giovanni, and Zauberlote.
Hamyul/Hamlet
La MaMa ETC, New York, NY, 2011
Director/Co-Writer/Co-Producer
A Korean adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
The Doctor
LaMaMa ETC, New York, NY, 2009
Director/Writer
A chamber opera composed by Martin Herman based on Anton Chekhov’s short story of the same title.
A Joke
La MaMa ETC, New York, NY, 2009
Director/WriterA musical theatre composed by Younghun Lee based on Anton Chekhov’s short story of the same title.
Director-composer collaboration of new work development.
B-Alive!
La MaMa ETC, New York, NY, 2008
Director
A touring dance theatre production with world champion B-Boys and Hip-Hop dancers.
The Doctor
The Music Now Prague Festival, Czech Republic
Director/Writer/Production Designer
New chamber opera composed by Martin Herman based on Anton Chekhov’s short story of the same title.
Director-composer collaboration of new work development. The Californian production was invited to Prague and Bruno in Czech Republic funded by Trust for Mutual Understanding.
Orlando
Long Beach Opera-Downtown Opera, CA
Director/Co-Production DesignerChamber opera composed by Martin Herman. The original story by Virginia Woolf. Director-composer collaboration of new work development.
Consumer’s Paradise
Long Beach Opera-Downtown Opera, CA
Director/Co-Production Designer
Opera composed by William HoustonDirector-composer collaboration of new work development.
Dido & Aeneas
CSULB Opera, Long Beach, CA
Director
Fully-staged student opera production of California State University Opera Program. Composed by H. Purcell.
Der Schauspieldirektor
CSULB Opera, Long Beach
Director
Fully-staged student opera production of California State University Opera Program. Composed by W. A. Mozart.
Operatic Scene Highlights
CSULB Opera, Long Beach
Director
Various scenes from La Rondine, Der Rosenkavalie, La Traviata, Dialogue des Carmetlies, and Centrillon.
Telephone
West Valley Opera Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Director/Production Designer
Opera composed by G.C. Menotti
Coffee Cantata
West Valley Opera Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Director/Production DesignerFully staged opera style cantata J. S. Bach.
Amahl & the Night Visitors
La Calisto
Days & Nights
The Fishbow
The Hostage
Antigone
The Letter & 4 plays by S. Beckett
Cavalleria rusticana
and More
