About

Luke Sheppard is an award winning director based in London. His productions have been seen on Broadway, in the West End and around the world, ranging from from spectacular new musicals to rediscovered plays, contemporary new writing to family shows.

He received a first class honours degree in Drama: Theatre, TV and Film from the University of Bristol and subsequently received the inaugural Noël Coward Trainee Director Award at Salisbury Playhouse. He also participated in the National Theatre Directors Course.

Luke directed the international hit musical & JULIET throughout the workshop process and through to production. It is currently playing on Broadway, on tour in both the UK and the USA, and an additional production recently opened in Hamburg. The show won six WhatsOnStage Awards and three Olivier awards. In Toronto the production was nominated for eight Dora Awards, and on Broadway it was nominated for nine Tony Awards.

His major new production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS recently opened in London in a purpose built auditorium and continues to play to sold out audiences. He is currently directing the development of a new musical based on the beloved PADDINGTON books and films, due to open in 2025/26.

JUST FOR ONE DAY, a new musical about the story of Live Aid, recently played at the Old Vic and will shortly transfer to Toronto. Following that it will open at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End.

Other recent projects include IN DREAMS (Leeds and Toronto) and THE DA VINCI CODE (UK tour and Ogunquit Playhouse, USA), and the new musical THE LITTLE BIG THINGS which played at London’s newest theatre @ Soho Place. It received three Olivier Award nominations, including Best New Musical. He also directed the new musical WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT? at Birmingham Rep Theatre, adapted from the novel Tom Jones by Henry Fielding and featuring the music of Tom Jones the recording artist.

Luke’s productions of RENT and SPRING AWAKENING at the Hope Mill Theatre both won the WhatsOnStage Award for best Regional Production. The UK premiere of IN THE HEIGHTS won three Olivier Awards and a nomination for Best New Musical. The show also won the Broadway World Award for Best New Production of a Musical. BILLIONAIRE BOY received the UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People. THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13 3/4 was nominated for both the Evening Standard Award for Best New Musical and a UK Theatre Award. Luke was also nominated for the Off West End Award for Best Director for CASA VALENTINA.

For a list of current and past credits please click here