DIRECTOR
My name is Eric Quang Gelb, and I’m a NYC-based director of musical theatre, live branded entertainment and theatre for young audiences.
I believe in the social responsibility and opportunity of these “gateway” entertainment experiences. They’re an accessible and necessary part of our theatrical ecosystem: most theatre fans first got hooked by flying witches, singing cats and rapping founding fathers. Its appeal is transcendent; seeing those shows are once a year (even once in a lifetime) memories. Just as impactful as academia & “high art”. They creative lifelong lovers of the arts - ultimately changing hearts, minds and humanity.
As an asian, gay, jewish artist, I reject the “type” of art I’m assumed to create - most assume my dream project is an all-Asian Angels in America, not Legally Blonde - but I’m not a “it’s just ____” person. While I don’t ask for perfection, I like to say that I demand excellence. I insist on a consistent point of view, detail, diversity, thoughtfulness and a high standard of work everywhere - whether it’s Broadway or in a theme park, I create a culture that never sacrifices humanity, but is powered by a relentless pursuit of ferocity: hitting our numbers, clean cutoffs, hands turned in at the same angle.
National Tour: The Bodyguard (Assistant Director). Broadway/Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors (co-producer), Hamilton (SDCF Shadow under Resident Director Hannah Ryan), WICKED Intern. Regional: Footloose (ThumbCoast Theater Company), Finding Nemo (Orlando Family Stage), Hairspray, Mean Girls & Matilda (Dr. Philips Center), Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (Round Barn Theatre), James & the Giant Peach (Virginia Children’s Theatre), Footloose (Fordham University), Live Branded Entertainment: SIX (Norwegian Cruise Line), LEGOLAND NY
As part of the 5 person Macy’s Studios Creative Producing Team, I report to the Director of Creative Production and work on our tentpole events and shows. For the Thanksgiving Day Parade, I annually cast and direct all non-celebrity talent (200+ characters, SAG performers, stilt walkers and more) that accompany celebrities and floats, as well as support production for all marching bands, performance groups and Broadway shows. I show direct and develop debut, character & performer-driven state-of-the-art offerings (Easter Bunny, Floral Guides, Inflation Ambassadors, Celebration Guides). The highlight (so far) was leading Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lainie Sakakura's historic turn as the first Black and Asian Mrs. Claus, respectively.
I graduated from New York University Steinhardt's Program in Educational Theatre, where I was the Artistic Director of the TYA organization Lamplighters. I converted lecture halls to theatres (hanging backdrops on command hooks) without compromising quality (inclusive of lace wigs and automated props) - all to pack, cart and store it in a dorm nightly. I co-founded a program, the Musical Theatre Collective, that matched NYU student mentors with youth. NYU culminated in a self-produced, site-specific production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
When I visit an organization, I am usually the only person who looks like me that they have ever hired. So the margin of error is nonexistent. So I pride myself on my artistry AND my administration; because I do large musicals, I view my paperwork and hyper-focused detail from day one (tracking sheets, agendas and filter-view show notes itemized for each actor) as a crucial step in setting a container. Some may say it’s over-kill; it’s how my brain works. It’s my hope that such clarity and detail creates the space and time needed to actually address, pivot and implement the things I prioritize in building the culture of a company: doing everything WITH respect, dignity, safety and humanity. As long as there is a clear standard and container and organization (inside and outside) the room, it’s not “either or”, and we can live by my ethos: full out, no marking!
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