About
Rachael Nanyonjo is a Ugandan British Choreographer, Director, Movement Director and Creative consultant working in the U.K. and internationally.
Career
Rachael is an international stage director and choreographer based in London working across new writing, music theatre, opera and film.
Rachael holds a BA Honours in Dance Studies Roehampton University and a Masters in choreography from Middlesex University. Rachael is a One Dance UK Trailblazer Fellow in addition to being a British Council & Arts Council Artists intentional fund recipient. She serves as a board member for the Lisa Ullmann Travel Fund.
As a director and storyteller, physicality is integral to her creative process. Her areas of interest include new writing, Africa and the diasporic experience, gender and class, children’s stories, and comedy.
Rachael creates visceral, impactful, and innovative theatrical and cinematic experiences, with storytelling and movement at the heart of her work. Her practice transports audiences into bold and imaginative worlds.
Most recently Rachael choreographed for the Royal Ballet and Opera in London the Jette Parker Summer performance, along with being a part the Aix en Provence Festival Women in Opera Académie 2026 and is a supported artist at the festival.
Rachael has worked on five West End productions, including Retrograde at the Apollo Theatre by Ryan Calais Cameron; Misty by Arinzé Kene (nominated for four Olivier Awards) and transfered to Broadway; Disney’s Newsies (winner of the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer); The P Word Olivier Award for Best Production in an Affiliate Theatre; Boys from the Blackstuff; and the Pinter at the Pinter season by the Jamie Lloyd Company.
She also directed and choreographed Recognition, Talawa Theatre Company’s 2023 production about Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, which was nominated for four Off West End Awards, including Best Director and Best Choreographer, and won Best Musical Direction.
Rachael is an associate artist at Bristol School of Acting starting 2022 where she shall be working with their B.A. Honours students to develop their knowledge and skills in theatre, in addition undertaking research and development on new projects with the support of the school.
Mission & Vision
"I believe the arts have a transformative power, which I have experienced first hand in my own life. Therefore, the goal of my work is to provoke thought, inspire change, educate and bring joy." R.N.
