Paul Canaan
Class of 1994
Jazz Choir • Show Choir • Musical Theater • Concert Choir
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For Paul Canaan, San Marin Performing Arts was where he first learned to perform, choreograph, direct, collaborate, and turn limited resources into something memorable. Those early opportunities helped launch a Broadway career—and continue to shape his work as an arts educator, producer, and advocate for young performers.
After graduating from San Marin, Paul attended Brigham Young University. While there, he auditioned for the Broadway production of Miss Saigon and booked the show, prompting a move to New York City in 2000. He has lived and worked there ever since.
Career HighlightsPaul’s Broadway credits include Miss Saigon, Thoroughly Modern Millie, La Cage aux Folles, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Legally Blonde, and Kinky Boots, where he originated the role of an Angel and served as Dance Captain. He has also performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the national tour of Annie Get Your Gun.
His work has extended beyond the stage. Paul served alongside casting director Bernie Telsey and author Heather Hach as a judge on MTV’s Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods, and appeared in the films Sex and the City 2 and Julie Taymor’s Across the Universe.
As a producer, Paul co-produced the Broadway musical How to Dance in Ohio. He also partnered with Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell to launch The Original Production, which provides schools and theaters with instructional resources for learning original Broadway choreography through Music Theatre International and Theatrical Rights Worldwide. He has also served as Creative Director of Broadway Media Distribution.
Arts education remains at the center of Paul’s work. He co-founded the nonprofit Take It From the Top with Tony Award nominee Laura Bell Bundy, providing professional mentoring, training, and performance opportunities for aspiring young artists. He has also served as Artistic Director of the Broadway Dreams Foundation and as a judge for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, known as the Jimmy Awards.
“I’m very passionate about arts education and working with young artists because I was a theater kid who was lucky enough to do so many different things in the business.”
REFLECTIONS & ADVICEPaul credits San Marin Performing Arts with giving him the freedom to experiment before he fully understood where those experiences might lead.
“I talk about my high school experience and Emily Gates every chance I get because she inspired me and opened doors for me to perform, choreograph, and direct before I knew how to do anything. I’m forever grateful for the San Marin theater department.”
He also remembers how much students learned by creating productions with limited resources.
“With every production, we had to figure out how to solve problems and get the show up with very little. Once we pulled it off and felt successful, the life skills of confidence, teamwork, collaboration, and empathy lived on inside each of us.”
“This career is unpredictable, exhilarating, and fueled by passion, but passion alone isn’t enough. It takes discipline, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up. Put in the work, stay curious, and keep taking risks, because this career can take you places you never imagined.”
Those lessons still guide him as he takes on new challenges and moves into a new phase of his career.
One of Paul’s favorite memories came during his senior year, when Emily Gates invited him to choreograph and set the Show Choir competition program. The group went on to win first place at every festival they attended.
“I’ll never forget her bringing me up on stage at RAVES to accept the trophy. Theater kids don’t always get the trophies in high school, but we all felt like winners that year.”
Paul’s advice to current students is to embrace every chance to learn—even the opportunities that feel uncomfortable.
A fun family connection: Paul’s father created the San Marin Music badge still used by the program today.
“Do it all. Say yes to every opportunity that lets you learn, grow, and do what you love. Just as importantly, seek out the things that scare you or don’t come naturally—they’re often where you’ll grow the most.”
He also reminds students that passion must be supported by persistence.
“This career is unpredictable, exhilarating, and fueled by passion, but passion alone isn’t enough. It takes discipline, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up. Put in the work, stay curious, and keep taking risks, because this career can take you places you never imagined.”
