In The Director’s Chair:
Paula Ali’s Vision.
In The
Director’s Chair:
Paula Ali’s Vision.
Paula Ali’s Directing Philosophy
Paula Ali’s Directing Philosophy
The Heart of Her Vision
As a Director and Choreographer, Paula Ali (she/her) centers the voices that have gone unheard. She creates spaces where femme-identifying POC thrive, blending movement, story, and activism into works that inspire and provoke.
As a Director and Choreographer, Paula Ali (she/her) centers the voices that have gone unheard. She creates spaces where femme-identifying POC thrive, blending movement, story, and activism into works that inspire and provoke.
My directing style? It’s joy-filled, collaborative, and deeply human. I thrive on working with actors to bring scripts to life in ways that feel fresh, powerful, and unapologetically authentic. I’ve been called an “actor’s director”—and for good reason. When I work on new or deeply personal pieces, I strive to create a space where playwrights feel seen, actors feel safe, and creativity runs wild.
Highlights include directing The Jason Williams Experience (Alvin Ailey) and The Bad in Each Other (The Tank). Whether choreographing dance concept videos or full-stage productions, my goal is the same: tell stories that leave people changed, connected, and—above all—moved.
My strength as a director also comes from observing and collaborating with trailblazing creatives. I’ve had the privilege of working as Assistant and Associate Director to Zhailon Levingston over the past four years, supporting workshops, off-Broadway productions, readings, and everything in between. Those experiences have become the backbone of my directing approach, teaching me the value of humility, adaptability, and curiosity in bringing bold visions to life.
Activism is at the heart of everything I create. My work is a love letter to my community and a bold step toward building a more liberated world—one joyous, unforgettable moment at a time.
From actors to playwrights to audiences, here’s what people are saying about Paula’s transformative approach to storytelling and collaboration.
The Reviews Are In
From Actors to Audiences
These combination of energies creates a boundless environment for actors to thrive in.
There's not a room Paula walks into that she doesn't infuse with an energy of enthusiasm, passion, inquiry, and joy!
Her greatest strength is her ability to tap into character dynamics in a way that allows her to embrace and protect their flaws while smoothing out the rougher edges of text over the course of development.
More than a director, Paula is an invaluable creative partner whose input has made my work what it is today.
Dialogue ranges from conversation to pinball eruption to innuendo. Ali handles all with skill. The small space is used effectively.
Director Paula Ali has an excellent sense of timing.
An unforgettable night at the Alvin Ailey Theater, co-directed by Paula Ali, featuring 30 of New York’s top dancers. This soulful production brought Jason Williams’s artistry to life with incredible music, meaningful storytelling, and stunning choreography.
CO-DIRECTOR
Alvin Ailey
The Jason Williams Experience
Paula Ali directed this powerful performance by Nia Calloway at HERE Arts, blending poetry, dance, and music to explore what it means to find belonging in a Black body. The celebration of resilience and community delves into ancestral trauma, mental illness, and the search for home.
CO-DIRECTOR
HERE Arts
Homebody: A Ritual Party
Through several evolving iterations of this Alexander Perry play, Paula Ali has directed several actors. This play centers an artistic badass and a privileged soyboy as they struggle to reconcile their ambition, ideals, and lust. It explores what it means to be successful alongside providing a critical analysis of ideals and activism.
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Listen To Paula On A Podcast
