Devanand Janki
Devanand Janki stands as an illustrious Director-Choreographer in New York City, heralding from Canada, renowned for his award-winning productions and unwavering commitment to championing diversity in the arts. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Live & In Color, dedicated to cultivating groundbreaking plays and musicals that boldly celebrate diversity and foster inclusivity.
His prolific New York credits include the hit Off-Broadway show Zanna, Don’t!, a triumphant recipient of the Lortel, Callaway, and GLAAD Media Awards. The new musical Little Girl Blue, which garnered Audelco and Lortel Award nominations, John Patrick Shanley’s Romantic Poetry for the Manhattan Theatre Club, The Yellow Brick Road (Callaway nomination), Junie B. Jones (Lortel nomination), Cupid & Psyche, Henry & Mudge (Lortel nomination), Skippyjon Jones (Lortel nomination), Shine! The Horatio Alger Musical (NYMF), Buddy’s Tavern (York Theater - Lab) and This One Girl’s Story (Abingdon Theatre, GLAAD Media Award nomination) stand out among his extensive body of work.
His other notable credits include: With Bells On! The Musical (Theatre Network), where he also served as Co-book writer, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Babes in Toyland, Anything Goes in concert (associate) all for Lincoln Center. The Wings of Ikarus Jackson and Barrio Grrrl! (Helen Hayes nomination, Kennedy Center); Little Girl Blue - The Nina Simone Musical (George Street Playhouse & Goodspeed Musicals); The Rocky Horror Show, Xanadu, the regional premiere of Rent (Hangar Theatre, SALT Award); How Can You Run with a Shell on Your Back?, and Disney's Aladdin (Chicago Shakespeare); Andrew Lippa's Asphalt Beach (AMTP); Man of La Mancha (Maltz Jupiter Theatre); The Full Monty (Foothills Theatre); Songs For A New World (Village Theatre); The Who’s Tommy - In Concert (Flint Rep); The Scarlet Pimpernel (Gateway Playhouse); the workshop of Lily (Huntington Theatre). TYA Tours: Martha Speaks, If You Give a Pig A Pancake, Fly Guy & Other Stories, Nate The Great, The Berenstain Bears LIVE! in Family Matters, the Musical, and The Jack Sprat Low Fat World Tour.
Beyond New York, Janki’s influence extends globally, having directed productions in Canada, Taiwan, Tokyo, and Korea, including the Korean Premiere of Zanna, Don't! and concerts for Japan's leading boy band, Shonentai. He has also lent his creative vision to numerous corporate live events for renowned brands like Coca-Cola, Disney, MAC Cosmetics, Dove, and Carnival Cruise Lines, further showcasing his versatility and innovative spirit across various platforms.
His dedication to philanthropy is evident through his contributions to concerts such as: Hair with an all-star cast featuring Jennifer Hudson (Grammy nomination), Funny Girl featuring 16 Fanny Brices, including Whoopi Goldberg, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth; Dreamgirls with Lillias White, Audra McDonald, Heather Headley and Billy Porter and Seth Rudetsky's Broadway 101, all for the Actors’ Fund, the entertainment industry’s largest charitable organization. He has also dedicated nine years as an Artistic Associate for Broadway Bares, one of the largest fundraisers for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
As a performer, Devanand Janki's Broadway career includes appearances in iconic productions such as Miss Saigon, Cats, Side Show and The King & I, as well as national tours of A Chorus Line and West Side Story. His multifaceted talent has also graced international stages, including Canada's Edmonton Opera and Alberta Ballet, The Staatsoper in Berlin, Germany, and Sweden's Malmö Musikteater and Gothenburg Opera, showcasing his diverse skill set and enriching the global theater landscape with his remarkable performances.
Educationally, Janki has left an indelible mark as Director of the Musical Theatre Division at The Stella Adler Studio of Acting and as a guest faculty member for prestigious institutions such as Yale University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Montclair State, Manhattan School of Music, and Marymount Manhattan among others. His commitment to fostering the next generation of artists is mirrored in his nationwide master classes and workshops, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the arts.
With an impressive body of work spanning directing, choreography, performance, education, and philanthropy, Devanand Janki continues to be a driving force in the theater world, enriching audiences with his unparalleled creativity, dedication to social impact, and commitment to celebrating diversity through the arts.