Performer · Choreographer · Educator
Nicholas Louis Cunningham
Two Decades in the Spotlight. Perform. Create. Educate.
Selected Work
Australia to Broadway, Stage to Screen
Six highlights as performer and choreographer, from the Majestic to the movies. Each row opens the full story on its page.
Enquiries
What are you planning?
Or write to me directly: nicholas@nicholaslouiscunningham.com
Centre stage
Performance
From a Paris debut at the Moulin Rouge to eight shows a week on Broadway, I’ve spent twenty years where the light hits hardest. The stage is my home; the West End, Carnegie Hall, The Met, Film and Television have all been stops along the way. Casting? Everything you need is right here.
Dance reel
Credits
Selected credits
Directors are listed as they appear on my resume. Filter by where the work happened.
| Production | Role | Company · venue | Director |
|---|
Production stills
From the wings
Select a photo to see it larger.
Headshots
Headshots
For high-resolution files, contact my agent.
Representation
My agent
Stage left
Choreography
Every piece starts with an empty floor and one question: how does this story need to move? I create choreography and movement for theatre, concerts, events, fashion, film, television and music video, and I’ve spent years as an associate, keeping other choreographers’ work sharp on Broadway, in the West End and around the world.
Choreography reel
Approach
Movement that belongs to one project, and wouldn’t make sense anywhere else.
How I work
I walk into every project with an open mind. Trust comes first: when people feel safe enough to try something and get it wrong, the original ideas show up, and that’s how a brief becomes a fully formed piece.
I don’t bring a house style. I’ve worked in theatre jazz, ballet, contemporary and commercial dance, and I keep studying, so I can choose what the story needs. I call it multiverse choreography: drawing on every world I’ve danced in to make something specific to yours.
As an associate, the job is different: learn another choreographer’s intentions inside out, teach them clearly, and keep the work sharp eight shows a week or across a world tour.
Selected projects
Projects & collaborators
Newest first. Collaborator credits are from my resume and the productions’ own listings.
Also
More choreography credits
Stage right
Studio
The studio is where good dancers become unforgettable. I teach theatre jazz, musical theatre, along with ballet, contemporary, lyrical and modern in the mix. I coach actor-singers until movement feels as natural as their voice. Book a one-to-one, bring me in for a masterclass, a weekend workshop, or more.
Studio reel
Approach
Counts, craft and a story to tell
I’m passionate about theatrical dance, musicality and storytelling, and my classes run on all three: clear counts, clean technique, honest notes, and room to make the material your own. I bring what I’ve learned in audition rooms in New York, London and Sydney, and on the other side of the table as a dance captain and associate.
- Theatre jazz
- Musical theatre
- Jazz
- Ballet
- Contemporary
- Lyrical
- Modern
- Show repertoire
- Movement for actors
Who I teach
Dancers from pre-professional students to working professionals, and actor-singers heading into musical theatre. I teach and mentor at companies, dance centres, conventions, colleges, universities and dance schools.
One-to-one coaching
A session, counted in
Every session is tailored, but they all follow the same count.
- 5Your goal
An audition, a role, a technique hurdle or a career decision. We start there.
- 6Assessment
I watch how you move and give you an honest read on strengths and habits.
- 7The work
Technique, choreography, performance or audition material: whatever the goal needs.
- 8Notes
Clear feedback and what to practise before next time, so you can track progress.
- and1You walk in ready
To the audition, the rehearsal or the next class.
Classes & coaching
Ways to work together
One-to-one sessions book online through Cunningham Creatives. For everything else, send an enquiry.
Where I’ve taught
Four continents of class
From my 2023 teaching resume.
Cancellations
Please cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before your session. Later changes and no-shows are charged in full. If I have to cancel, you can reschedule or take a full refund.
About
Hello, I’m Nicholas
From the Moulin Rouge at eighteen to the West End and fifteen years in New York, performing has taken me around the world. Today I split my time between Australia and New York: performing, creating, and helping dancers find their light.
I started dancing at twelve, hooked on Fosse, MGM musicals, Riverdance and ballroom.
I trained at the Queensland Dance School of Excellence, which is affiliated with Queensland Ballet, and at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth, where I finished a three-year degree in two years and was awarded the Marten Bequest Scholarship. At eighteen I made my professional debut at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.
London came next: Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, the Olivier Award-winning revival of La Cage aux Folles, and Rob Marshall’s film of Nine. La Cage took me to Broadway in 2010 as Associate Choreographer, Dance Captain and Hanna from Hamburg, and New York became home for fifteen years: The Phantom of the Opera, The Terms of My Surrender, Encores! at City Center, the Met, and Bernstein’s Mass for PBS Great Performances.
Choreography and teaching grew alongside the performing. I was associate to choreographers including Lynne Page and Anjali Mehra, made my own dance films and music videos, and taught at Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center and the Joffrey Ballet School before becoming Head of Dance at the Institute for American Musical Theatre.
These days I split my time between Australia and New York. In 2024–25 I was Resident Choreographer and offstage swing on the Australian tour of The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, then joined the Australian premiere season of Anastasia in the ensemble, understudying Siegfried. Through my company, Cunningham Creatives, I coach dancers and actor-singers one-to-one, online and in person.
Facts
- Training
- Queensland Dance School of Excellence
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
Marten Bequest Scholarship - Influences
- Fosse, MGM musicals, Riverdance, ballroom
- Company
- Cunningham Creatives, founder and director
- Memberships
- AEA, SAG-AFTRA, AGMA, Choreographers Guild
Enquiries
Contact
Tell me what you’re planning. For casting, my agent is the quickest route. For choreography, classes and coaching, write to me here.
Thanks
Thanks for getting in touch. I’ll reply as soon as I can.