STEPHEN LLOYD HELPER is currently producing with ShowTown Productions (Nathan Gahan, Jamison Scott) in NYC on the new musical SLIPPIN' THROUGH THE CRACKS, the Blues Journey of Bobby Rush. Steve co-wrote the show with double-Grammy winner Rush. At age 87 and still going strong, African American Bobby Rush has an incredible story of resilience and joy that must be told and GREAT songs that must be heard. His play, UP AND DOWN, is set to star Isabella Rossellini for Broadway. Years ago, Steve co-conceived the Broadway smash musical, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE. It ran for almost 5 years and retains the record as the longest running musical revue in Broadway history. He directed FIDDLER ON THE ROOF on Broadway which earned the production a Best Revival Tony Award nomination. He trained at Yale and began his career as associate director to Jerome Robbins on the first revival of WEST SIDE STORY and the first revival of FIDDLER that Jerry directed himself. He also assisted him on the Emmy-Award winning AN EVENING OF JEROME ROBBIN'S BALLETS on NBC. Jerry sent Steve to direct FIDDLER for Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House that led to a 30 year career in Australia where he directed, produced and/or co-wrote numerous productions with many returns to the Opera House. Steve staged the first Australian presentation of Sondheim’s FOLLIES IN CONCERT with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and a galaxy of Australian musical theater stars. Also CAFE REBETIKA! AN EPIC STORY OF GREEK MUSIC AND PASSION, LOVE LETTERS, SIMPLY WEILL - A KURT WEILL CABARET, SYNCOPATION which toured to 43 theaters and remains the most successful tour of any original play. His play, A SIGN OF THE TIMES, was named one of the best Australian plays of that year. He also premiered the new version of the great Australian musical, LOLA MONTEZ in collaboration with its composer Peter Stannard, at the Parramatta Riverside Theater. Steve also has collaborated with a number of incredible Aboriginal writers and performers. These productions include THE NEW BLACK, BLAK ELECTRIC, SOUL MUSIC and THE ADVENTURES OF NAMAKILLI. Steve has been awarded a number of fellowships and residencies from prestigious arts foundations including Yaddo and the Bogliasco Foundation in Genoa, Italy. Steve is also a highly respected teacher of acting and musical theatre. He also received a Certificate of High Distinction from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in their Multicultural Arts Professional Development program.