Judy Hayward
Judy Hayward holds a BFA in piano performance from Louisiana Tech University. She went on to receive her Masters degree from the University of Oregon in Arts Administration. After graduating from U of O, Ms. Hayward was employed with the Center of Variety Performing Arts in Los Angeles, and danced in various musicals, including Dames at Sea and Carousel in Encino, CA, and No, No, Nanette at the Masquers Theatre in Hollywood. She later became the staff accompanist for the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts in Santa Maria, CA, where she also taught music theory. While still living in California, she was the Artistic Director for Pismo Beach Light Opera Company, where she also worked as music director and choreographer.
Upon moving to Maryland, Ms. Hayward became the assistant music director for The Harlequin Theatre, an equity dinner theatre located in Rockville. While at the Harlequin, she was assistant music director for Dream Girls, Big River, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Reflect Up?, Sound of Music, and Funny Girl. From Maryland, Ms. Hayward moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where she was music director for The Fantasticks, under the direction of Susan Watson. She also music directed for the Anchorage Community Theater, as well as accompanied the award-winning Alaska Children’s Choir.
Moving to New Hampshire in 1999, Ms. Hayward became the music director for Peacock Players, an award-winning youth theatre located in Nashua, working on more than 25 productions with them, including Les Miserables (School Edition), which won the New Hampshire Theatre Award (NHTA) for Best Musical in 2002, Into the Woods, Just So Stories, Children of Eden, Seussical the Musical, Pippin, Joseph… Dreamcoat, Godspell, Oklahoma!, and The Wedding Singer, to name a few. With StageCoach Productions, Ms. Hayward has music directed Jane Eyre, Parade, Secret Garden, The World Goes ‘Round, Sweeney Todd, Altar Boyz, Floyd Collins, Into the Woods, and Little Women. She has also directed several shows with Actorsingers, including Cats, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Seussical, The Producers, and Aida. Recently, Ms. Hayward music directed The Dinosaur Musical and My Fair Lady for Stoneham Theater in Stoneham, MA.
Ms. Hayward has received the New Hampshire Theatre Award for Best Music Director three times–in 2004 for her work with MADCo’s production of Cabaret, in 2007 for Actorsingers’ production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, and for Actorsingers’ 2010 production of Elton John/Tim Rice’s Aida. She was also nominated for an IRNE for her work with Stoneham Theater’s production of Thrill Me.
