Renowned choreographer and performing powerhouse, Baayork Lee, brings a unique Broadway spirit to the City Springs Theatre Company’s upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz. From her first visit to Byers Theatre, Lee instantly felt at home as a part of their community. With a career spanning back to her Broadway debut at the ripe age of five, Baayork hopes to continue uplifting the next generation with warmth, passion and a deep love for collaboration, while celebrating an extraordinary 50-year legacy in the arts. She’s helped to raise $1 million for The Actor’s Fund in 2025 alone, so we sat down with the living legend to know more.
Q: As the director and choreographer of The Wizard of Oz, what are you most proud of with this new production?
BL: I am so incredibly proud of my Munchkinland youth actors and really my cast as a whole! I put together the entire first act in 4 days, from staging to character work. And you can really feel that everyone involved wants this to be a real success!
Q: What is your favorite part of the show and why?
BL: As a choreographer, I loved working on the material for this show. But most of all, I loved breaking down the book. I told this company on the first day how much I personally related to Dorothy. I started in this business at a young age and I always had the urge to travel and do every possible show. But, even after all those years and 12 Broadway shows, I came back to my home in Chinatown, Manhattan and formed my company, National Asian Artist Project. Like Dorothy, I came back home!
Q: What do you love about the City Springs Theatre Company?
BL: There’s something special about being on the ground floor of a company that was just being formed. I could see the growth and the quality of the actors and crew. I have worked in many places, but with the professionalism, passion and organizational skills here, I said, “this is it.”
Q: Do you have any advice to share with young actors wanting to pursue a career in the arts?
BL: You have to have the fire in your belly! You have to really want it. And you have to be prepared to study and to learn. It takes a lot of work, and you have to have that unwavering desire and passion.
Follow the yellow brick road straight to Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center! Don’t miss out on this magical theatrical experience.
