Suzanne Ishee

Suzanne Ishee first worked with Jessye Norman as producer of the Emmy Award–winning Jessye Norman Sings for the Healing of AIDS, a benefit for The Balm In Gilead, directed by George C. Wolfe and designed by Robert Wilson with guests stars Maya Angelou, Whoopi Goldberg, Elton John, Bill T. Jones, Toni Morrison, Max Roach, and Anna Deavere Smith. She was also been honored with the Drama Desk Award for mobilizing the theatrical community in the fight against AIDS. She created and produced Broadway’s annual Easter Bonnet Competition, raising millions of dollars for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Most recently she was production director for the African American Church Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC.

For the League of American Theatres and Producers, Ishee has co-produced Broadway on Broadway and the launch of the League’s worldwide marketing initiative, Destination Broadway. She was production manager for Classical Action’s Anniversary Celebration, written by Bruce Vilanch and directed by Scott Wittman, starring Joshua Bell, Fred Hersch, Madeline Kahn, Nathan Lane, Edgar Meyer, Ursula Oppens, Dawn Upshaw, and the Julliard Woodwind Quintet.

As an actor, Ishee has performed on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera, Show Boat, La Cage aux Folles, and Mame, as well as in national tours of Jerry’s Girls and The Wizard of Oz, and on the PBS telecast of New York City Opera’s The Merry Widow. Ishee has also starred in regional productions of The Lion in Winter, Kiss Me Kate, Steel Magnolias, The King and I, and Communicating Doors.

Ishee is the creator and producer of the theatrical concert company Broadway Center Stage, presenting works for symphonies and concert series throughout North America. As a playwright, she has created the chamber musicals Jack and Jill and America’s Singing Sweethearts; her newest musical, Searching for Spinoza, is slated for world premiere productions next season at the New Jersey State Opera and UNC–Chapel Hill.