This Day in History December 15, 1952

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Julie_Taymor_Shankbone_2009_Metropolitan_Opera.jpg

Today is Julie Taymor's birthday.  That may mean nothing to you, but she was born on this date in 1952.  She is a well-respected director, and her interest in theater began early in her life.   In the 1970's, she lived in Japan while studying puppetry and Japanese theater.  Then she lived in Indonesia where she worked as an international director.  She then returned the U.S. and began her directing career here on Broadway and opera.  Then she directed the Oscar-award-winning film Frida in 2002.

She is probably best known as the director and stage designer of Lion King on Broadway.  She was the first woman to win a Tony Award for directing a musical.  She also won a Tony Award for Best Costume Design for that musical.  Since 2010, she has been on Broadway with her musical, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,  for which she directed, co-wrote, and designed the masks.

For more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Taymor
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0853380/bio