Susan Stroman’s name is synonymous with excellence in the performing arts. Her career spans decades of groundbreaking work in theater—and she has the accolades to show for it: five Tony Awards and six Astaire Awards.
In 2017, Guild Hall honored her with the Academy of the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award. Stroman begins a new chapter as president of Guild Hall’s Academy of the Arts, which allows her to bring her vision and expertise to the East Hampton institution.
A Visionary Takes the Stage
In December, Stroman succeeded Eric Fischl as president of the Academy of the Arts. Founded in 1986, the Academy includes over 250 acclaimed artists who celebrate the region’s rich artistic legacy.
While reflecting on his tenure, Fischl expressed confidence in Stroman: “They have indeed found someone far more qualified than me to take this pantheon of brilliance to the Olympian levels where it so deserves to reside.”
Stroman eagerly embraces her new role. “A musical theater gal taps into every single art form,” she explained. “It’s a collaboration with visual art, music, dance, acting, and drama, and to bring that to Guild Hall thrills me. It’s the most wonderful playground to be a part of.”
Early Steps to the Spotlight
Stroman’s love for performance began in her Delaware childhood home, where music abounded. “My father was a wonderful piano player,” she recalled. “He also liked to tell ‘big fish’ stories. I had no choice but to go into musical theater and become a director and choreographer.”
Her first performances were at Longwood Gardens and the Candlelight Theater in Wilmington. After graduating from the University of Delaware with an English degree and a theater minor, Stroman headed to New York City. She launched her career with a breakthrough audition at Goodspeed Opera House, where she earned her Equity card.
“I told my parents I got an Equity card and was moving to New York,” she said.
While Stroman began as a performer, she always aimed to create from behind the scenes.
She recalled her motivation: “I had to come as a song-and-dance gal because I could sing and dance. But the goal was always to get on the other side of the table in creating shows.”
A Trailblazing Career
Stroman has built a legacy of innovation and excellence. In 2001, she directed and choreographed The Producers, which won 12 Tony Awards, including dual honors for her roles. She was the first woman to win Tonys for directing and choreographing the same production.
Her screen work includes the iconic dance film Center Stage and an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Stroman’s choreography for Oklahoma! and her Broadway hit Contact (which earned the Tony for Best Musical) further cemented her status as a creative powerhouse.
Exciting New Projects
Stroman is currently directing rehearsals for Smash, a comedic musical based on the cult TV show.
“It’s very funny and very different from the TV show, but certainly with familiar characters,” she confirmed. “We have the best of Broadway in the cast, so I think it’s going to be marvelous.”
Stroman plans to nurture community-driven art at Guild Hall: “You can’t have a community without art. Theater really is the heart of a community.”
Healing Through Theater
Stroman believes in theater’s power to heal and connect.
Reflecting on her show Crazy Few, she said, “It was about the restoration of a theater bringing a town back to life. If you have a theater that is thriving, then the town will thrive. The theater and the arts can brush the dust off your soul.”
Looking ahead, Stroman wants to focus on creating meaningful stories. “I think doing theater now that is not only entertaining but also has a message is the new way to go,” she explained. “Theater can bring a lot of healing to people. Storytelling can bring healing to people. Live theater can bring people together.”
As Stroman leads Guild Hall’s Academy of the Arts, her vision promises to strengthen East Hampton’s creative community and inspire a deeper connection to the arts.
