About Me

Samuel Harjanne is an international theatre director, based in Denmark. His international professional productions have been seen in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and the United Kingdom. He is specialized in musical theatre, and has worked with film, opera, and drama. Teaching has been a big part of his career, and his master classes have been conducted in Nordic universities and drama schools. Samuel has worked in multiple different languages throughout his career, and embraces the international aspect of the industry. 

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Photo by © Sanna Liimatainen

Theatre Director.

My aim is to tell stories that matter – create an unforgettable experience of true emotions, enterntaining spectacle and professional quality.

Everything else.

Teaching and coaching has been a big part of my life. Educating the theatre talents of tomorrow is a passionate subject to me.

TESTIMONIALS

“Sam lives and breathes theatre. Anthony Drewe and I met him when he knocked on the door of our studio in West London as an 18-year old and announced "I've come over from Finland, because I want to direct the Finnish premiere of your show Honk!" How could we refuse? He mounted a wonderful production, which we duly attended and we became good friends. Since then, we've watched him hone his skills as a considerable musical theatre star, become the "go to" voice-over artist for Disney's Finnish movie releases and now follow his ultimate dream to become a first rate director. In my experience, Sam can do anything he sets his mind to - and do it brilliantly. So if he knocks on your door - say "yes"!”
George Stiles, Composer / Writer
“Every time I have worked with Samuel, I have been inspired by his creativity and way of working. He makes every single member of his team feel like an important part of a puzzle through his genuine leadership. He has an ability to be responsive, and steer the production towards the right course.”
Gunilla Olsson-Karlsson, Choreographer
"Samuel Harjanne is a gifted musical theatre actor, a very interesting director, and a great man with a big heart!”
Georg Malvius, Director / Professor of Musical Arts
“The first thing about Samuel that comes to mind is his bravery. When he first started dancing as a young boy, he was brave enough to be exactly who he is and do what he loves. After collaborating in various professional productions later on, I still think that bravery, passion for musical theatre and belief to endless possibilities is combined in a unique way in this man. There is only one Samuel Harjanne in this world!”
Marco Bjurström, Theatre Director
“It has been my privilege to work with Samuel. His pedant, passionate and full-of-life attitude as a director and a performer forces you to recognise a talent who will always aim higher.”
Sami Uotila, Actor
“Samuel Harjanne is an excellent singer and has variety and energy in his performance. He is extremely motivated, thorough and inspiring as a director. On top of that, he has a good sense of humour and he is always successful in creating a positive atmosphere in work environment.”
Markku Nenonen, Theatre Director / Choreographer / Actor
“Samuel Harjanne’s ability to lead a rehearsal room and process is delightfully direct. He knows what he wants – but always allows you the creative space to contribute to it. His care for the story and its integrity is honourable and yields exciting and innovative results. He is humble collaborator who will grow in his abilities as he continues to challenge his work and his understanding. Working with Samuel is a thoroughly fun and beneficial experience.”
Ryan Bennett, Actor
“Samuel Harjanne, as a Director, is very inspirational and always dedicated to his work. He is extremely professional, logical and focused during rehearsal periods. He has an artistic point of view and a strong vision that produces an exceptional result. Samuel inspires those around him to strive to be the best they can be and creates a very happy work environment. He always pumps 100 % of his energy into his work. With a strong, educational background in music, Mr. Harjanne excels in the Musical Theatre realm. A man of many talents, he can bridge the gap between on stage, back stage and the audience member.”
Osku Heiskanen, Choreographer
“Samuel is an absolute pleasure to work with as a director. He has a unique skillset, which makes him indispensable to this art and an ideal director for musical theatre. He carries with his experience not only the talents of being an experienced actor, but is additionally an intuitive musician. His musicality combined with his background in MT makes him sympathetic to the needs of actors and singers, and gives his work a deeper meaning and understanding, that is crucial in musical theatre. His talents combined with his professionalism and his warm personality make his work unique and a thrill to be part of. Cannot recommend him highly enough!”
Sean Mayes, Music Director
“I have had a privilege to work with Samuel in ‘Les Misérables’ in Tampereen teatteri. His passion for musical theatre made an impression already when I first saw him. Samuel is energetic, uncompromising and talented actor, and watching his work as ‘Enjolras’ was a pleasure night after night. I hope that his inevitably successful future with musical theatre will create opportunities for us to work together again!”
Taru Kirves, Producer
“It has been a privilege for me to work with a director who knows what he wants, but who allows me to use my own creativity and ideas to get there. Samuel Harjanne works with enthusiasm and joy and truly brings out the best in his actors. I can’t wait to work with him again!”
Trine Bariås, Actor
“Out of everyone I know, Samuel Harjanne is the most motivated and passionate musical theatre director and actor there is. He cares about the well-being of the team he works with, without losing the focus and the goal of the project. Behind the talent of his, there is a hard-working professional of music entertainment who never gives up.”
Mirva Mäkinen, Choreographer
“Samuel Harjanne has been in couple of productions in the Helsinki City Theatre, that have been produced by me. When I first met him, my attention was taken by his musicality, talent and charming personality. Later I’ve seen him perform several times, and I’ve also had the privilege to see his works as a director, and realised how multitalented he is. He is not only talented, but also a great colleague, and a precious part of the team. And what comes to musical theatre, he knows it all. I look forward to opportunities to work with him again.”
Pia Lindholm, Producer
“I first met Samuel at the auditions for the musical ‘Spring Awakening’. His singing was extraordinarily beautiful, and he was capable of moving an audience deeply. The next time we worked together was in the musical ‘Striking 12’. I learned that Samuel could also play a mean piano. I firmly believe there is much in Samuel yet to be discovered.”
Neil Hardwick, Director
“I first met Samuel in ‘Avenue Q’ when he was a promising young actor, with a great singing voice. After several shows together, I had an honour to work as a Music Director in ‘Disney’s Aladdin’ under his direction, and I learned that his wonderful creative visions strongly respect the music and musicality in his shows. Only sky is the limit for him!”
Antti Vauramo, Music Director
“I have always proudly followed that never-ending excitement and thirst Samuel has for musical theatre. As a director, he is at the same time supporting and demanding, and he has skills to gain the trust of the actors and colleagues of his. When working with him, I always feel like I am working on something highly important, for his passion and work ethics do have a positive effect on everyone. He takes everyone in the group into consideration and facilitates everyone’s creativity.”
Katiana Chatta, Assistant Director
“I first met Samuel in 2007 when we both worked with ‘Avenue Q’. He as an actor, me as a stage manager and production assistant. Similar collaboration continued in stage productions of ‘Disney’s High School Musical’ and ‘High School Musical 2’. We have also worked together in shows directed by him, such as ‘Disney’s Aladdin’ in 2012. Samuel is talented, capable, inspiring and trust-worthy director and a lovely human being.”
Maikku Lähteenmäki, Stage Manager / Production Assistant
“As a director, Samuel is inspiring, creative and thorough. He has a unique understanding of big shows, and he immerses himself in the story and emotional journey of each character. I have always felt safe and free under Samuel’s direction, for he is capable of receiving impulses from actors, and giving new ideas and tactics when required. Samuel is also a talented leader and a pleasant man to work with.”
Jon-Jon Geitel, Actor
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Examples of the companies that are behind the productions that I’ve worked on

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