Swaine Kaui, originally hailing from Hawaii, is now based out of NYC. Swaine received a degree in Artistic Direction and Cultural Fusion from Webster University, studying with Steve Woolf at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis; and Graduate Directing work at CW Post.
Swaine started his career as a flourishing performer, working in Regional, as well as, International theaters. Additionally, Swaine has performed for the world re-known Metropolitan Opera House, opening up the 2008 season in LaRondine. Select favorite roles include: Roberto Nuney (Working), Ito (Mame), Amiens (As You Like It), and Babby Bobby Bennett (Cripple of Inishmann).
Swaine has travelled to Thailand, directing a documentary on Thai Performing Arts, for which he won a Webbie award. Some of Swaine’s directing work includes: Hair (NY), The Wedding Singer (NY), Blood Wedding (LI), Songs for a New World (NY) and A New Brain (LI). Swaine has also directed new works in NYC such as Lulu Takes a Walk, Crossing Borders, and Creeping Hard, for which he won a Best Direction award. Swaine will also be devising two Cabarets for the new Bill Finn Cabaret space at Barrington Stage this summer, and will also be directing a new musical workshop from Bill Finns Musical Theater Lab at the Mark St. Germain Stage. Swaine has won awards for Best Director of a New Play, Best Director of Video, and the Carol Burnett Musical Theater Scholarship. Swaine is currently the Drama Leagues Musical Theater Directing Fellow, and currently Assisting Gary John LaRosa in Fiddler on the Roof. Swaine is a member of AEA and SDC (a).