FerroTV Shows
If you combined accomplished a Broadway dancer /actor / singer with an accomplished Broadway choreographer then added a large portion of theater director, topped it all off with a brilliant mind and engaging personality, you would have JoAnn M. Hunter.
Don’t think one person could process all of those attributes? Then you are in for a treat.
In this episode of On Location JoAnn shares the secrets of how she built her career and how she has been able to sustain and expanded it in an industry that is constantly in flux.
Key Takeaways:
- Joanne Hunter is a veteran Broadway/Off-Broadway choreographer and director (30+ credits) who transitioned from performer to leading creative roles, including working with Andrew Lloyd Webber.
- She prioritizes serving the story of each production—adapting her choreography/directing style to the specific narrative rather than imposing a “signature” style.
- Joanne speaks candidly about navigating a male-dominated industry as a woman, balancing confidence in her craft with ongoing insecurities that can come with the job.
- A major focus is her six-year development of “Super U,” including how the team kept it alive during COVID by pivoting to drive-in performances with staging on flatbed trucks to maintain distancing.
- The conversation underscores the technical and collaborative side of choreography/directing: building movement that supports actors, earning trust, and aligning with a director’s vision.
- The team’s success in unconventional outdoor venues came from resourcefulness and collaboration—people donating gear/expertise, handling issues like lighting and weather, and following clear leadership.
- The overall tone highlights resilience and a “can-do” mindset, ending with mutual appreciation and interest in future cross-industry collaborations.
