She is best known for directing and developing the international smash-hit Rock of Ages, which received five Tony Award nominations, including a nomination for Best Direction of a Musical. She has directed productions of Rock of Ages all over the world, including Broadway and the West End. Ms. Hanggi's developed and directed the acclaimed pop opera bare, which ran to sold-out audiences in Los Angeles and off-Broadway, won numerous awards and has gone on to have over 500 productions internationally.
As a film director, Kristin directed Naomi & Ely's No Kiss List, an adaption of Rachel Cohn & David Levithan's popular novel of the same name, starring Victoria Justice. She made her feature directorial debut in 2013 with the indie Grantham & Rose. For television, Ms. Hanggi adapted and directed the hit book series, Dear Dumb Diary into a musical movie, under Executive Producer Jerry Zucker for Walden Media. She also recently directed an episode on the upcoming Netflix musical series Julie and the Phantoms.
A partial list of past stage productions include: Clueless; Accidentally Brave; Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion; Atlantis; Pirate La Dee Da; the initial production that launched the Pussycat Dolls, Pussycat Dolls Live at the Roxy. Ms. Hanggi graduated with her Masters from USC after receiving her Bachelors from UCLA in Theater. In June of 2013, Kristin returned to her alma mater when she received the UCLA School of Theater, Film, & Television Distinguished Alumni Award. Kristin has a love of music, and has directed multiple music videos and short films. She hosts a weekly podcast with her best friend Natalie Roy called “Let’s Play: The CREATE Podcast” on spirituality, creativity, and play.
Her book God, Sex, and Musical Theatre was published in 2020.
