Why We Built an Ark
Our Story
Korea produces exceptional performing artists — vocalists, dancers, actors, and musicians whose training, discipline, and raw talent are world-class by any measure. But talent alone doesn't cross borders. Access does.
For most Korean artists, the gap between their training and an international stage isn't one of ability. It's structural: no standing relationships with the productions that matter, no direct pathway to Broadway or global casting, no infrastructure built specifically for the crossing.
Ann's Ark was built to close that gap. The ark metaphor isn't decoration — it's the premise. What we built isn't a waiting room. It's a vessel. Designed for the crossing, not calm waters.
What distinguishes us from a talent agency isn't the quality of artists we represent — it's what we build for them before they ever step into an international audition room. We don't wait for artists to arrive ready. We build the readiness.
Mission
We discover exceptional artistic talent in Korea and beyond, and develop it into globally competitive careers — through professional coaching, real performance experience, and direct pathways into the world's leading entertainment markets, including Broadway.
Vision
To become the most trusted bridge between Korean artistic talent and the global entertainment industry — the company every serious performer dreams of joining, and the partner the world's stages trust most for exceptional talent.
Built by People Who've Made the Crossing.
Our team combines deep roots in Korean training with firsthand experience in the international entertainment industry. That dual fluency is what makes the model work.
Founder & CEO
Anna Choi
최안나
Anna Choi trained as a violinist — earning her Bachelor's at Hanyang University and her Master's at Mannes School of Music in New York City. That path into the American arts ecosystem gave her something rare: firsthand fluency in both worlds.
In New York, she served as Music Director at the Long Island Conservatory and directed Celebrity Confessions on Broadway. She later founded Gigworldnyc, building operational infrastructure for international artists before turning that experience into Ann's Ark.
She founded Ann's Ark on a single conviction: that the gap between exceptional Korean artistic talent and the global stages it belongs on is structural — and therefore fixable. What she built isn't a passive agency. It's a full development company — one that creates the access, not just the roster.
The Team
Broadway Producer · USA
Jordan S. Gilbert
Award-winning Broadway producer, director, writer, and performer — recognised as one of the youngest Tony-nominated producers in Broadway history. Recipient of the Broadway Producer of the Year Award. Gilbert brings direct access to the Broadway ecosystem that underpins Ann's Ark's international placement work.
Swing Dance · Movement
J. Kim
2006 America Lindy Hop Championship winner. Founder of Swing Park — Korea's first professional swing dance company (est. 2013). CBS speaker, 2015. Brings world-class movement expertise to Ann's Ark's performance training curriculum.
Stage & Screen Actor · UK/USA
Dan Hazel
Over 120 productions across the US, UK, and China. Trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London. Currently appearing in A Great Awakening (Sight and Sound). Dan brings a rigorous international performance standard to everything we do.
Vocal Mentor · Opera
Oh Shin-young 오신영
Yonsei University (Bachelor's, top of class) · Mannes School of Music, New York (Master's). Principal soloist with the National Opera of Korea and Seoul Metropolitan Opera. Shanghai International Music Festival invitee. 2018 Emerging Woman Cultural Artist Award, Korea Ministry of Culture. CTS Radio host.
Global Team Manager · USA
Sunny Kim
Leads Ann's Ark's US operations, managing relationships with American productions, casting directors, and global industry partners. The bridge between Seoul and New York.
Team Director
Daniel Choi 최다니엘
Directs the internal operations and strategic direction of Ann's Ark's artist development programs, ensuring every artist's journey through the company is structured, supported, and moving forward.
A History of Results.
From our first New York production to Broadway partnerships and international alumni — the track record behind the promise.
- —Gigworldnyc founded — international artist management
- —New York / Manhattan 'Healing Concert' tour production
- —Broadway musical Celebrity Confession — music director & production
- —TSC New York Times Square & Manhattan tour production
- —Carnegie Hall — American Protégé Winners Concert (2nd place artist)
- —Polaris Productions — collaborative performance, Kids Production: Les Misérables
- —Broadway musical Les Misérables — live performance
- —DeSales Media invited performance
- —Times Square theater invited performance — Manhattan, NYC
- —Ilsan KINTEX performance
- —Oceania — 14-nation President & Leaders Forum performance
- —New York Broadway producer collaboration — masterclass & forum
- —Ann's Ark founded
- —New York Broadway collaboration — Tony Award Producer Jordan G. Scott project development
- —Branksome Hall Asia Performing Art Camp — musical program
- —SFS / International School English musical class & camp
- —Seoul Foreign School — English musical class & camp
- —Jeju International School — regional camp, class & showcase
- —KIS International School — 'Book Aloud Musical Show' performance
- —USA NHD International School student — 1st place national award
- —Original musical MAGIC DOOR production
- —The Jungle Book — lead role placement
- —FROZEN — lead & principal cast placement
- —ALL SHOOK UP — lead & principal cast placement
- —US East Coast boarding school artist placement
- —NYU Tisch Drama School artist placement
- —Winter English Musical Workshop — Tokyo, Seoul & Jeju (Dec 2024 – Feb 2025)
- —Whispers of the Nile — Summer English Musical Workshop (Jul–Aug 2025)
Our Programs & Sub-Brands.
Structured platforms built under the Ann's Ark umbrella.
Recognition & Awards.
Ann's Ark is built by award-winning practitioners with documented recognition at the highest levels of the international entertainment industry.
Broadway Producer of the Year Award ↗
Jordan S. Gilbert · Broadway
First-ever recipient of the Broadway Producer of the Year Award (Broadway Global). His production of Ghost The Musical received three Tony Award nominations and a Drama Desk Award win — making him one of the youngest and most decorated producers in Broadway history.
Daegu Mayor Award — Choreography
White Kim · 2012
White Kim, Ann's Ark's resident choreographer and Ent.Flow Choreography Director, received the Daegu Mayor Award in 2012 for outstanding contribution to musical theatre choreography in Korea.
2018 Emerging Woman Cultural Artist Award
Oh Shin-young · Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism
Ann's Ark vocal mentor Oh Shin-young was awarded the Emerging Woman Cultural Artist Award by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism — one of the most prestigious arts recognitions in the country.
Press inquiries: annsarkbusiness@gmail.com