Steve Zuckerman is a highly respected theater, TV and film director. He started his career as a theater director in New York where his work includes the Tony nominated and Drama Desk Award winning play NUTS by Tom Topor. As Associate Director of New York’s WPA Theater he directed over 20 productions including the premieres of NUTS, Israel Horovitz’s UNEXPECTED TENDERNESS and NORTH SHORE FISH and Shem Bitterman’s TEN BELOW. His collaboration with Mr. Horovitz also resulted in the off-Broadway premieres of TODAY I AM A FOUNTAIN PEN, A ROSEN BY ANY OTHER NAME and THE CHOPIN PLAYOFFS. Mr. Zuckerman’s revival of Tennessee Williams’ VIEUX CARRE at the WPA, and Ibsen’s WHEN WE DEAD AWAKENING starring Kim Hunter both received Drama Desk Awards.
While in New York Mr. Zuckerman began his television career directing daytime dramas’ ANOTHER WORLD and SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. A move to Los Angeles followed shortly where Mr. Zuckerman has directed over 400 episodes of prime time television. He was the series director for NBC’s EMPTY NEST for six seasons. His credits include directing the pilot episode of the long running JAIMIE FOXX SHOW, multiple episodes of GOLDEN GIRLS, THE DREW CAREY SHOW, MURPHY BROWN (Humanitas Award), FRIENDS, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, ACCORDING TO JIM and HANNA MONTANA. He directed the feature film NORTH SHORE FISH for Showtime starring Mercedes Ruehl, Peter Reigert and Tony Danza, which he developed for screen with playwright Israel Horovitz. Recent credits include BLEEP MY DAD SAYS with Bill Shatner, MELISSA AND JOEY, WORKING CLASS, INSTANT MOM, UNDATEABLE and ANGER MANAGEMENT with Charlie Sheen.
Mr. Zuckerman has continued to direct theater in Los Angeles including the premiere of Garry Marshall’s EVERYBODY SAY CHEESE at the Falcon Theatre. Mr. Zuckerman’s 20-year collaboration with playwright Shem Bitterman includes MAN.GOV and HARM’S WAY (LA Pen Award Winner) at Circus Theatricals and more recently productions of INFLUENCE for the Skylight Theater (3 LA Weekly Award nominations including Best Production) and OPEN HOUSE (selected one of LA 10 Best Plays of 2014) at the Skylight Theater.
Mr. Zuckerman has been Director of Play Development at The Circle in the Square Theatre and Artistic Director of New York’s Impossible Ragtime Theater and the Sharon Playhouse. He has directed at the Manhattan Theater Club, Circle Rep and many regional theatres including Baltimore’s Center Stage, The La Jolla Playhouse and the Yale Cabaret.
Mr. Zuckerman has taught at University of Southern California, New York’s Circle in the Square Theater School, NYU and the Julliard School. Mr. Zuckerman was trained at the University of Michigan and the Yale School of Drama.
Mr. Zuckerman is currently serving on the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance Campaign Advisory Committee.