Jan 29 2025 39 mins 4
Julie Taymor made history as the first woman to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical with The Lion King. But long before Broadway, her journey began at Oberlin College, where she created her own major in mythology and folklore. From there, she traveled the world, immersing herself in the theatrical traditions of Indonesia, Japan, and beyond—experiences that would go on to shape her groundbreaking approach to storytelling.
In this episode, Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar speaks with the visionary director about her fearless approach to art, the lessons she learned from world theater, and why she continues to push boundaries in both film and stage. From her early inspirations to her latest projects, Taymor shares insights on creative collaboration, cultural storytelling, and what it really means to take risks as an artist.
What We Cover in This Episode
- The Oberlin Influence: How Taymor’s self-designed major in mythology and folklore set the foundation for her career in visual storytelling.
- World Theater as Inspiration: How living in Indonesia for four years and studying global theater traditions shaped her artistic vision.
- Bringing The Lion King to Life: The challenge of adapting an animated film into a groundbreaking stage production—and how she fought for authentic representation.
- Taking Risks in Storytelling: Why Taymor never repeats herself and how she chooses projects that challenge both herself and the audience.
- Shakespeare and the Power of Language: How Taymor’s work in Titus, The Tempest, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream explores the visual power of Shakespeare’s poetry.
- Who Gets to Tell Stories? Taymor’s perspective on the debate around cultural appropriation, authenticity, and why storytelling should be universal.
- Breaking the Broadway Mold: Why she believes Broadway is creatively stagnant and what it will take to push musical theater into new territory.
- The Grand Delusion: A sneak peek into Taymor’s latest musical project, a boundary-breaking production that blends modern New York, mythology, and surrealism.
*Photo © ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
Episode Links
Oberlin College & Conservatory
Learn more about Oberlin College, where Julie Taymor developed her unique approach to storytelling by designing her own major in mythology and folklore.
Explore the official Broadway production of The Lion King, which has captivated audiences worldwide with its groundbreaking visual storytelling
Richard Schechner’s Performance Theory
A foundational text in performance studies, this book explores many of the theatrical concepts that influenced Taymor’s approach to storytelling.
Frida (2002) – A Film by Julie Taymor
Watch Frida, Taymor’s Academy Award-winning film about the life and art of Frida Kahlo, featuring a visually stunning and theatrical approach to biography.
Discover Taymor’s cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, starring Anthony Hopkins, showcasing her signature blend of theatricality and film.
