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B R I A N  B Y U N G K O O  A H N

 

MFA, SDC

La MaMa E.T.C.

74A East 4th Street

New York, NY 10003

 

eliamahn@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

byungkoo ahn, opera director, opera directing, stage director, theater director, stage directing, ucla directing, brian ahn, hamyul

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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.

Complete CV

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

 

    © 2018. Brian Ahn All rights reserved.

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