PAUL DAIGNEAULT
DIRECTOR | TEACHER | MENTOR
Paul is a New England based freelance director and teacher. He is the founder of SpeakEasy Stage in Boston and has produced over 150 Boston premieres since 1992. Professional directing highlights include The Inheritance, Fun Home, Admissions, The Scottsboro Boys, Significant Other; Violet ;Mothers & Sons; Big Fish; In the Heights; Next to Normal; Nine; Some Men; Zanna, Don’t!; Parade; Caroline, or Change; Take Me Out; Company; A Man of No Importance; Bat Boy, the Musical; Passion; A New Brain; Floyd Collins; Love! Valour! Compassion!; and Jeffrey. Paul is also the the recipient of the 2014 Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence presented by the Boston Theater Critics Association.
Educational directing credits: Grand Hotel and Nine (The Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music); Rent, City of Angels, Sunday in the Park with George, Merrily We Roll Along (The Boston Conservatory at Berklee); Into the Woods, Urinetown, Blue Window (Boston College). Paul is on the faculty at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee where he teaches Musical Theater, Producing and Directing. He was honored in 2007 with the Boston College Arts Council’s Alumni Award for Distinguished Achievement, and served as the 2011-2012 Rev. J. Donald Monan S. J. Professor in Theatre Arts. Outside the theatre, Paul has served on the Board of the ICU Patient & Family Advisory Council at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is a lover of National Parks and plans to visit all 63!
Paul has been an incredible teacher, mentor, director and friend to me over the years. Studying Musical Theatre Scenes with him at The Boston Conservatory helped me understand style and tone, ultimately shaping me into a more versatile actor and singer. Paul also was instrumental in shaping my young professional career, and gave me the opportunity to understudy and ultimately perform a leading role in a professional theatre during my college years. This opportunity was transformative for me, as I was finally able to see myself as fully capable of a legitimate career in this business.
Paul is a smart, compassionate and collaborative teacher and director, but more importantly, has been a true champion for my development in this industry. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities I have had to make art and tell stories with him, and look forward to the day I can again in the future.
Alison McCartan, Performer
"Paul Daigneault is a first class educator, director, and family man. His generosity, soulful artistry, and heart of gold create an environment that summons forth highest quality of work from those with whom he collaborates. As an educator, he treats his students like professional actors and expects them to rise to that standard. As a director, he trusts his actors and gives them the autonomy to play without bounds, shaping their creativity into compelling performances. As a family man, he takes care of his students, actors, and colleagues as if they were living under the same roof. Paul is one of those people who will make time in his busy schedule to lend a hand to anyone in need. Through my own personal stumbles, falls, and not so triumphant moments; he has never once given up on me."
Chris Ramirez, Performer
