Karen Shuman
Director &
Choreographer
With a blend of innovative choreography and compelling storytelling, Karen Shuman is an accomplished director and choreographer with a rich portfolio in theater, dance, and coaching. Her work encompasses a wide variety of styles, aiming to inspire and create experiences that connect with the audience's emotional world. She is passionate about the uniqueness of live theater striving to create divine moments that connect ensemble and audience.
The Chicago Critic
"Choreographer Karen Shuman deserves a standing ovation for taking a huge amateur company of various skills and experiences and giving every performer a purpose and a place. The dancing crackles with verve and attitude that feels completely in character and never superfluous to the central story. Bravo!"
Audience
"This show (Shrek) was beautiful. I saw moments that I hadn't seen before (in other productions). The relationships felt real and I laughed my ass off!"
"Ahhh I love how you honored Fosse but created completely new movement and pictures. I really like how you told the story through movement."
Music Director -
D. Ginsberg
"I love working with Karen because of her creative soul and passion for the arts. I like how she thinks about things from many perspectives and gets the best out of performers and the scene. She is wonderful to collaborate with. She speaks the language of the different team members."
Style
EXPERIENCE - With years of experience in theater, coaching actors and bringing stories to life, Karen provides valuable insights that enhance the overall experience of the show. She focuses on inspiring both the ensemble and the audience through examination of text, trust of instincts, and human connection.
FOCUS - Karen offers thoughtful and creative directing; equal parts research, improvisation, and humor. She believes the uniqueness of each group of people creates new art that is driven to build an engaged ensemble and create impactful art together.
PASSION - Karen Shuman's choreography combines inspired movement with a variety of technique and tones from different genres to create new movement. Her focus is making the individual bodies connect to the whole picture to support both story and energy.
