Graciela Daniele, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a dancer, choreographer and director. She has worked with The Public Theater and The New York Shakespeare Festival/Delacorte directing DANCING ON HER KNEES (1996), and  choreographing THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (1980), ALICE IN CONCERT (1980), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (1982), THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD (1985), and THE KNIFE (1987): Second Stage directing  and choreographing IN A PIG’S VALISE (1989), and  LITTLE FISH (2003): Playwrights Horizons directing and choreographing ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (her first collaboration with Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty; 1990): Lincoln Center directing HELLO AGAIN (1993),  ELEGIES (2003), and directing and choreographing  A NEW BRAIN (1998), MARIE CHRISTINE (1999), DESSA ROSE (2005), BERNARDA ALBA (2006),THE GLORIOUS  ONES (2007). 

Graciela Daniele was educated at the Theater Colon, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Raised by her mother, aunt and grandmother in a small village she, at the age of 16 toured through South America, accompanied by her mother, as a soloist in a ballet company directed by a member of the Ballet Russe. She then went on to Paris to study with the great teachers there, and, within a month was offered the role of soloist at the Ballet of the Opera of Nice. Daniele also did a European tour with Josephine Baker.  On Daniele’s return to Paris she saw a production of West Side Story which changed her life.  She had to go to America to learn this kind of dancing (Jerome Robbins).  In New York she studied with Matt Mattox, and a month later was cast on Broadway in What Makes Sammy Run? Originating the role of Rita Rio.  In 1971, while performing in Follies, she became the Assistant to Michael Bennett, a move initiating her career as a director and choreographer on and off Broadway. She met and married the show’s lighting designer Jules Fisher, while performing in Here’s Where I Belong.

On Broadway: performer in Chicago, Follies, Coco, Oklahoma!, Promises, Promises, Here’s Where I Belong, What Makes Sammy Run?: choreographer or director for The Visit, Pal  Joey, The Pirate Queen, Chita Rivera: A Dancer’s Life, Barbara Cook’s Broadway!, Elaine Stritch At Liberty, Marie Christine, Annie Get Your Gun, Ragtime, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, The Goodbye Girl, Once On This Island, Dangerous Games, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Rink, Zorba, The Pirates of Penzance, The Most Happy Fella, A History of the American Film, Follies (Assistant to Mr. Bennett as well as performer).

Her choreography and directing have won the Outer Critics Circle Award  for The Glorious Ones 2008, The Pirate Queen 2007, Bernarda Alba 2006, Ragtime 1998; the Drama Desk Award for (Bernarda Alba, Ragtime, Chronicle of a Death Foretold 1996, Hello Again 1994, The Pirates of Penzance  1981; the Tony Award Nominations for Ragtime, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, The Goodbye Girl  1993, Once On This Island 1991, Dangerous Games 1990 , The Mystery of Edwin Drood  1986, The Rink 1984, and The Pirates of Penzance. In 2005 Graciela Daniele was inducted into The Theatre Hall of Fame.  She is currently directing and choreographing The Gardens of Anuncia with Michael John La Chiusa, commissioned by The Old Globe, based on Daniele’s childhood in Argentina, and the women who raised her.  She wishes to thank all the people who “helped me become the best of myself and have a great life.’