Taymor, Julie (1952–)

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Taymor, Julie (1952–)

American director, costume designer and puppet creator. Born Dec 15, 1952, in Newton, MA; dau. of Melvin (gynecologist) and Betty Taymor (political activist); graduate of Oberlin College; m. Elliot Goldenthal (composer).

Lived in Indonesia, where she was exposed to Javanese shadow puppets and founded an acting company; won Obie for stage version of Thomas Mann's The Transposed Heads (1986); directed Oedipus Rex for Saito Kinen Festival in Japan (1992); awarded MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" (1991); received Tony nominations as Best Director and Best Scenic Designer for Juan Darien: A Carnival Mass (1997); won Tony Award for Best Director in a Musical, the 1st woman to receive that award, and Best Costume Designer, for Lion King (1998); directed film Frida (2002).