Joseph Hardy is a stage director with an extensive Broadway and Off-Broadway career. One of his first major works was the original production of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (1967) at Theater 80 St. Marks. He had to fight hard with the writer and producers to get his concept for the show on stage, and his hard work paid off. In 1967, he was awarded the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director. His other Off-Broadway directing credits include: HOUSE OF FLOWERS (1968), WHAT THE BUTLER SAW (1970), THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND and AFTER MAGRITTE (1972), GRACE (2008), NIGHTINGALE (2009), and THE DANCE OF DEATH (2013). Joe Hardy had a close working relationship with actress Lynn Redgrave, who starred in his productions of GRACE and NIGHTINGALE. 

Born in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Hardy joined the US military after graduating from New Mexico Highlands University with a degree in English Literature. He left the Army early to return to Highlands for graduate studies. He took over the theatre program there for one year, but then left to attend the Yale School of Drama, where he received an MFA in Directing. Hardy started his career working as a script editor for soap operas and he returned to that world later in his career as a producer. He has found success on Broadway as well, winning a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for Child’s Play (1970). Hardy’s other Broadway credits include: Johnny No-Trump (1967), Play It Again, Sam (1969), Bob and Ray – The Two and Only (1970), Children! Children! (1972), Gigi (1973), and The Night of the Iguana (1976).