While Miles is a very busy performer, he has managed to make a fine name for himself as a director as well. His directorial ventures range from regional companies to New York, from contemporary to classical theatre, from full scale musical to nightclub cabaret. He’s served as Artistic Director for Musical Theatre Renegades in Chicago and The Hot Spot Theatre Company in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  He was lauded for his work as author and director in his marriage of Classical Theatre and Cabaret in the smash hit revue of Shakespeare in song Words Words Words & Music and has been nominated for multiple projects as Outstanding Director by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs.

Miles received his graduate training with the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and his Master of Fine Arts degree from the National Theatre Conservatory (ANTA).

When in New York, Miles also serves as a private acting and audition coach as well as director. For information about his availability and services, send him an e-mail with “Director” in the subject line to:

 

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"I feel so lucky to have found a kindred musical spirit in Miles Phillips
in a most rewarding and collaborative process.  Perhaps most valuable,
aside from the close friendship we formed, is how Miles was able to
help 'open up' songs so I could  attack them from a different perspective.
Even songs that I had been singing for years became fresh and new to
me again.  Best of all, he never inflicted his view of what he thought it
'had to be,' instead he worked towards a resolution where I could be
comfortable and at ease onstage.  In Cabaret, I believe that to be the
best kind of working relationship."
Jonathan Whitton - Actor / Director / Bistro winning Vocalist
www.jonwhitton.com

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"I just wanted to thank Miles Phillips for his outstanding direction
and guidance for  my show An Evening With Horace Vanderveer
at The Laurie Beechman Theatre.  He brings not only his extensive
experience and talent to the table, but his humility and kindness. I felt
right at home with him from the start."
Ben Rauch - Actor
www.benrauchsite.com

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"I had the pleasure of working with Miles in 2001. He directed
me in his production of Words Words Words & Music. 
Miles brought incredible joy to the rehearsal process.  A true
'actor's director,' Miles, using patience and incredible skill,
helped me tap into what I thought was an difficult personal
obstacle to reach an honest and touching performance that I
can be proud of. I can't wait to work with him again!"
Liz Donathan – Actress 
www.LizDonathan.com

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"I have known Miles for many years now - sharing the stage with
him as a fellow actor, crafting characters under his trusted guidance
as a director and toiling side by side with him when he served as
the Artistic Director of The Hot Spot Theatre Company.


"In Miles Phillips, we have a director with the uncanny ability to
channel the various aspects of his life experience into a laser
beam focus of artistry.


"In the pre-production and casting phases, Miles displays remarkable
clarity of vision.  Yet he instinctively knows when to bend that vision
in order to maximize the strengths of what other directors might
call 'constraints.'  Miles Phillips thinks both inside and outside the box
with equal facility.  His capacity for the instant recall of historical,
critical, artistic and literary references is absolutely encyclopedic. 
And his senses of logic, style and taste render the use of superlatives
into gross understatement.  Calling Miles Phillips 'insightful' is like
referring to the Taj Mahal as 'a quaint little cottage.'


"Then, likely informed by his years working in design, Miles creates
natural, unforced, yet well-composed stage pictures that further illuminate
the core ideas of the playwright. Miles Phillips possesses an intimate
understanding of spatial relationships and the significant psychological
impact they have on the subconscious mind.


"And, finally, during the rehearsal process, - drawing from his experience
as a classically trained actor - Miles Phillips knows exactly what to say to
encourage the deepest possible connection to character.  He is an
inspired acting coach … equally adept at directing classical, contemporary
and musical theatre.  Because he himself is a critically acclaimed vocalist
with a passion for singing intelligently, Miles hears both the song inherent
in speech and the speech inherent in song. I have seen Miles Phillips coax
enjoyable performances from the novice actor and finely-wrought, subtly
nuanced performances from the seasoned professional.


"For these reasons and countless others, I heartily recommend the direction of
Miles Phillips without hesitation and with every fiber of my being."
Rob Langeder - Actor/Director/MAC winning Vocalist 
www.roblangeder.com


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"Miles has a keen eye for both the profound and the ironic.
He is a master of the English language and will help you to
get every ounce of the meaning across in a song or a dramatic
reading. He's a wonderful singer/actor/performer in his own right,
so he has that experience to bring to the table as well. He's also
easy to work with and I trust him. I can unreservedly recommend him."
Sue Matsuki – NYC Award Winning Cabaret/Jazz Singer  
www.suematsuki.com 

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"Miles is one of the best directors in town.  His experience will bring your show
to an exciting and fulfilling level.  The shows I've seen that he has directed have
been totally satisfying from start to finish.  He is a hands-on director who will guide
your vision into something you will be extremelyl proud of.  Plus, he's super nice! 
Before you look to hire any other director, contact Miles first!"

Hector Coris - Actor/Singer/Director/Designer

www.hectorcoris.com

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“Forget Diamonds!  Miles Phillips (or Millie as I call him . . . inside joke)
is a Performer's Best Friend. Whether as a performer (whom I've had
the infinite honor of doing a show with . . . truly one of the highlights of
my career) or as a director (he has a keen eye for details) OR even
just as an all around guy - to paraphrase Carol Channing's high school
campaign slogan: If Miles is your vice, that's a virtue! He's the best!”
Richard Skipper – MAC and Bistro Award winning Artist  
www.richardskipper.com 

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"I can't say enough good things about Miles.  He directed a cabaret
show of mine in 2002.  Because Miles is a performer and a singer himself,
his ability to understand the actor is wonderful.  He is insightful and has an
amazing way of working. I hope to be able to work with him in the future. 
He is professional yet kind, a rare bird in this industry."
Jill Cathleen Johnson – Actress 
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“A friend of mine and I revived a cabaret show that we had done
six months earlier. Our original director was not available, so we
asked Miles to help us out. The work he did was amazing. The show,
although fine in it's first run, was elevated to a whole new level under
Miles’ direction. He took some of our older songs and made some
arrangement suggestions that never would have occurred to us, but
ultimately and greatly improved the numbers. And with the newer
numbers, he coached us from an acting standpoint and gave us
fascinating options and levels to work with. He also had an amazing
sense of strengthening a through-line and overall making a much more
cohesive and stronger show. Ultimately, the show was so much better
than I ever could have imagined it, and it's largely due to Miles’ amazing
direction.

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“As I begin working on a new show, there is no question that I
want to use Miles again.”
Jason Wynn – Musical Director/MAC winning Composer 
www.jasonwynn.net