Theater, Film, and Television Director; Known for How to Dance in Ohio
Sammi Cannold: Biography at a Glance
- Sammi Cannold, a Jewish Broadway director made headlines when her husband Safi Rauf, a Muslim humanitarian, was held captive by the Taliban for 105 days. Sammi has since become an advocate for using art as a vehicle for social change and advocacy.
- Sammi recently made her Broadway directorial debut with How to Dance in Ohio at the Belasco Theater and she was recognized by Forbes as one of Hollywood’s 30 Under 30.
- She has directed productions at prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Radio City Music Hall, working with organizations like CBS, ABC, Paramount+, Cirque du Soleil, and TikTok.
- Sammi's theater credits include Evita (Critic's Pick), Rent in Concert, Sunset Boulevard, and Carmen (NYT Critic's Pick), with innovative productions such as Ragtime on Ellis Island and Violet on a moving bus.
- In television, she directed Curtain Up! live on ABC and was a Creative Consultant for the 2021 Tony Awards on Paramount+ and CBS, while her documentary film premiered at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre and was released on AppleTV.
- Sammi’s message of empowerment, drawn from life-and-death stakes, encourages audiences to rise to challenges, break barriers, and believe in their own capacity for advocacy and change, whether through art or other methods.
Videos
Biography
Sammi Cannold is a theater, film, and television director who is one of Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 in Hollywood & Entertainment, one of Variety's 10 Broadway Stars to Watch, and one of Town & Country's Creative Aristocracy. She recently made her Broadway debut as director of How to Dance in Ohio at the Belasco Theater.
Sammi has directed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including The Kennedy Center, Radio City Music Hall, and Lincoln Center as well as for the National Symphony Orchestra, CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, Paramount+, Cirque du Soleil, and TikTok. As a speaker, she has spoken at the Global Business Summit in New Delhi, TedxBroadway, the US State Department, several universities, and will speak at the upcoming Aspen Ideas Festival.
Recent theater credits include Evita (A.R.T., STC, New York City Center -- Critic's Pick), Rent in Concert (The Kennedy Center), Sunset Boulevard (The Kennedy Center), Carmen (Rose Hall, Lincoln Center -- NYT Critic's Pick), Celine Song’s Endlings (New York Theatre Workshop, A.R.T.), Ragtime on Ellis Island, and Violet on a moving bus (A.R.T.).
In the television space, Sammi has served as Director of Curtain Up!, live on ABC, and served as Creative Consultant on the 2021 Tony Awards, live on Paramount+ and CBS. Sammi’s first documentary feature film premiered at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre and was released worldwide on AppleTV.
In December 2021, Sammi's husband--Afghan-American humanitarian Safi Rauf--was taken hostage by the Taliban with Sammi and his family left to negotiate for his freedom alongside the US State Department. After his release in April 2022, Safi and Sammi shifted to advocating for fellow hostage families and amplifying hostage and detainee stories in the arts.
Sammi has also served as an Artistic Fellow at the A.R.T., a member of Cirque du Soleil's Creative Cognoscenti, and a Sundance Institute Fellow. Sammi holds a B. A. from Stanford University and an M.A. from Harvard University.
Topics
What Negotiating for Your Husband’s Release from Taliban Captivity Teaches You About Empowerment and Bridge-Building
In December of 2021, Broadway director Sammi Cannold was informed that her husband–a humanitarian aid worker operating in Afghanistan–had been taken hostage by the Taliban. During his 105 days of captivity until his release in April 2022, Cannold–who is Jewish–and her husband’s devout Muslim family–who did not accept the relationship–were left to figure out how to work together for the sake of her husband’s release. In this talk, Cannold recounts how hostage crises put everyday civilians in the hot seat of advocating for their loved ones at the highest levels of government and in the strangest of situations. Moreover, in a story first covered by the New York Times, she discusses how life-and-death situations rip the proverbial band-aid on overcoming differences and breaking down barriers between seemingly adversarial individuals. Cannold concludes with a message of hope and empowerment, encouraging listeners from all walks of life to believe in their own power to advocate for what’s right and rise to whatever occasion they may be presented with.
Art as Advocacy
Have you ever seen or experienced a work of art that inspired you to act, give, or change your outlook? In this talk, Broadway director, Forbes 30 Under 30 lister, and one of Variety’s 10 Broadway Stars to Watch Sammi Cannold explores the profound impact of using art as a vehicle for social change and advocacy. Building on her Ted Talk about the responsibility of the storyteller, using case studies from theater and film, and employing behind-the-scenes insights, Cannold demonstrates how art can become a catalyst for dialogue, empathy, and action. In this talk, she encourages individuals from all walks of life to harness their creativity to address pressing issues, drive social change, and contribute to a more equitable and compassionate world and equally, encourages institutions and organizations to consider art as a powerful pathway for change.
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FAQs
How do I book Sammi Cannold for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Sammi Cannold to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Sammi Cannold's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Sammi Cannold’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Sammi Cannold in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Sammi Cannold's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Sammi Cannold's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Sammi Cannold, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Sammi Cannold's speaking fee?
Sammi Cannold's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Sammi Cannold's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Sammi Cannold's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Sammi Cannold as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Sammi Cannold as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Sammi Cannold's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Sammi Cannold's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Sammi Cannold for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Sammi Cannold speaking engagements.
Official contact for Sammi Cannold bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/sammi-cannold
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Sammi Cannold.
Is Sammi Cannold available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Sammi Cannold speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Sammi Cannold's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Sammi Cannold's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Sammi Cannold's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Sammi Cannold for?
Book Sammi Cannold for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Sammi Cannold customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Sammi Cannold engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Sammi Cannold can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Sammi Cannold booking information and availability
Check Sammi Cannold's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Sammi Cannold for your preferred event date.
Book Sammi Cannold keynote speaker through CAA
Book Sammi Cannold through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Sammi Cannold, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Sammi Cannold's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Sammi Cannold for your next event.
Will Sammi Cannold speak at private events?
Yes, Sammi Cannold speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Sammi Cannold's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Sammi Cannold?
CAA Speakers responds to Sammi Cannold booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Sammi Cannold?
Book Sammi Cannold 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Sammi Cannold pricing information?
Get Sammi Cannold pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.