View source for Kenny Ortega

{{short description|American filmmaker and choreographer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| image              = Kenny Ortega 2019 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony D23 EXPO 2019 (51441245259) (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Ortega in 2019
| birth_name         = Kenneth John Ortega
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1950|04|18}}
| birth_place        = [[Palo Alto, California]], U.S.
| occupation         = Director<br>Producer<br>Choreographer<br>Concert Creator
| years_active       = 1970–present
| notable_works      = ''[[Newsies]]''<br>''[[Hocus Pocus (1993 film)|Hocus Pocus]]''<br>''[[High School Musical (franchise)|High School Musical Trilogy]]''<br>''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It]]''<br>''[[Descendants (franchise)|Descendants]]''<br>'' [[Julie and the Phantoms]]''
| domestic_partner   = 
| awards             = [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography]] (2006) <br>[[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] (2019)<br>[[Disney Legends|Disney Legends Hall of Fame]] (2019)
| website            = 
}}

'''Kenneth John Ortega''' (born April 18, 1950) is an American director, producer, choreographer, and concert creator. He is best known for his work with [[Disney Channel]], notably the ''[[High School Musical (franchise)|High School Musical]]'' film trilogy, cult classics such as ''[[Newsies]]'' and ''[[Hocus Pocus (1993 film)|Hocus Pocus]]'', ''[[The Cheetah Girls 2]]'', and the first three ''[[Descendants (franchise)|Descendants]]'' films. In 2019, he signed a five year deal with [[Netflix]], producing the original series ''[[Julie and the Phantoms]],'' which was cancelled after only one season. He has also choreographed multiple iconic ‘80s films such as, ''[[Xanadu (film)|Xanadu]]'', ''[[One from the Heart]]'', ''[[St. Elmo's Fire (film)|St. Elmo's Fire]]'', ''[[Pretty in Pink]]'', ''[[Ferris Bueller's Day Off]]'', and ''[[Dirty Dancing]].'' Ortega has worked on multiple music videos and produced concert tours for the likes of, [[Kiss (band)|KISS]], [[Olivia Newton-John]], [[Cher]], [[Madonna]], [[Miley Cyrus]], and [[Michael Jackson]], notably the cancelled [[This Is It (concert residency)|This is It]] concert residency. He also wrote, directed, and produced Jackson's posthumous documentary film, ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It]]''. For his work, Ortega was honored with a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] and a [[Disney Legends|Disney Legend Award]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-21 |title=Kenny Ortega Returns to Paradigm (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/kenny-ortega-returns-paradigm-representation-1235856398/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=Alescia |date=2021-08-05 |title=Kenny Ortaga |url=https://walkoffame.com/kenny-ortaga/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Hollywood Walk of Fame |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life==
Ortega was born in [[Palo Alto, California]], the son of Madeline, a waitress, and Octavio "Tibby" Ortega, a factory worker. He also has a sister, Debra Ortega and brother, Mark Ortega. Both of his parents were also born in Palo Alto,<ref name=elc>{{Cite news|last=Hartlaub|first=Peter|url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Ortega-directs-High-School-Musical-3-3265466.php|title=Ortega directs 'High School Musical 3'|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=October 19, 2008|access-date=October 31, 2010|archive-date=February 2, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202031437/http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-10-19/entertainment/17138153_1_high-school-musical-disney-channel-kenny-ortega|url-status=live}}</ref> though his paternal grandparents were Spanish immigrants.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2008/10/23/2008-10-23_kenny_ortega_the_man_behind_every_step_o.html | title=Kenny Ortega: The man behind every step of 'High School Musical 3' | first=Lee | last=Hernández | date=October 23, 2008 | work=Daily News | location=New York | access-date=November 3, 2009 | archive-date=August 26, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826173700/http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2008/10/23/2008-10-23_kenny_ortega_the_man_behind_every_step_o.html | url-status=live }}</ref> He attended [[Sequoia High School (Redwood City, California)|Sequoia High School]] in [[Redwood City, California]], where he was a cheerleader and in the drama group.

==Career==
{{BLP sources section|date=September 2022}}
Ortega began his career as an actor, appearing in a touring production of ''[[Oliver!]]'' and [[Hair (musical)|''Hair'']] before venturing into choreography and directing. Ortega choreographed [[The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo]] in the mid to late 1970s.{{Cn|date=June 2025}} Ortega was offered the leading role in a production of ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]],'' but turned the offer down to become a choreographer for the San Francisco-based band [[The Tubes]] after being spotted on the dance floor in a club by members of the band. Ortega toured with the band for ten years, before being contracted by [[Cher]] to choreograph a TV special and tour and by [[Kiss (band)|KISS]] on their [[Dynasty Tour]].<ref name="variety.com">{{Cite web|last1=Setoodeh|first1=Ramin|date=2020-06-30|title=Director Kenny Ortega on the Queer Aesthetic of His Movies From 'Hocus Pocus' to 'High School Musical'|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/director-kenny-ortega-pride-high-school-musical-1234694033/|access-date=2020-07-01|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=July 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701154525/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/director-kenny-ortega-pride-high-school-musical-1234694033/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|date=2008-10-03|title=Kenny Ortega: From dancer to director|url=https://variety.com/2008/scene/markets-festivals/kenny-ortega-from-dancer-to-director-1117993297/|access-date=2020-07-01|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=July 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701072224/https://variety.com/2008/scene/markets-festivals/kenny-ortega-from-dancer-to-director-1117993297/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1980, Ortega was hired as one of the choreographers on the film ''[[Xanadu (film)|Xanadu]]'', working with [[Gene Kelly]] who mentored him into choreographing for film. During this time period, Ortega also served as choreographer for several of [[John Hughes (filmmaker)|John Hughes]]'s films, including ''[[Pretty in Pink]]'' and ''[[Ferris Bueller's Day Off]]'', as well as the 1987 film ''[[Dirty Dancing]]''.

Ortega would also choreograph several music videos, including "[[Material Girl]]" by [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], "[[She's a Beauty]]" by The Tubes, [[Physical (Olivia Newton-John song)|Physical]] by [[Olivia Newton-John]] and "[[Mr. Roboto]]" by [[Styx (band)|Styx]]. He also produced and choreographed the embarrassing "[[Rock Me Tonite]]" by [[Billy Squier]] which turned into a career-ending disaster for the artist.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 50 Worst Decisions in Music History|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/worst-decisions-in-music-history-1234626744/billy-squier-obliterates-his-career-with-one-cheesy-music-video-1984-1234629438/|website=rollingstone.com|date=November 28, 2022|access-date=June 29, 2023|archive-date=May 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529103601/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/worst-decisions-in-music-history-1234626744/billy-squier-obliterates-his-career-with-one-cheesy-music-video-1984-1234629438|url-status=live}}</ref>

He made his directorial debut in 1992 with the [[Disney]] musical ''[[Newsies]]'', which was followed up by [[Hocus Pocus (1993 film)|''Hocus Pocus'']] in 1993. Both films underperformed at the box-office but have since gone on to attract considerable cult followings. Ortega also served as choreographer for ''[[To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar]]'' in 1995.

Alongside [[Michael Jackson]], he created and designed Jackson's [[Dangerous World Tour]] (1992–1993), [[HIStory World Tour]] (1996–1997) and [[Michael Jackson & Friends]] (1999). He has also choreographed events ranging from [[Super Bowl XXX]], the [[72nd Academy Awards]], the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] ([[Atlanta]]) and the [[2002 Winter Olympics]] ([[Salt Lake City]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lalines.com/bigfiles/articles/Ortega_Bio.pdf |title=Kenny Ortega: Biography |access-date=June 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218105120/http://www.lalines.com/bigfiles/articles/Ortega_Bio.pdf |archive-date=December 18, 2008 }}</ref>

In 2006, Ortega directed and choreographed two [[List of Disney Channel original films|Disney Channel Original Movies]], ''[[High School Musical]]'' and ''[[The Cheetah Girls 2]]''. Ortega would return as director and choreographer for ''[[High School Musical 2]]'' in 2007 and ''[[High School Musical 3: Senior Year]]'' in 2008.

In May 2009, Ortega began work directing and choreographing the scheduled 50-date Michael Jackson [[This Is It (concert residency)|This Is It]] concert residency at [[the O2 Arena]], billed as Jackson's final concerts in London. The engagement was subsequently cancelled due to [[Death of Michael Jackson|Jackson's sudden death]] in June 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Showbiz-News/Michael-Jackson-Auditions-Dancers-For-Tour-And-Works-With-Director/Article/200905215280285 |title=Michael Jackson Gets Ready For Tour |work=Sky News |date=May 12, 2009 |access-date=May 12, 2009 |archive-date=May 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516205652/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Showbiz-News/Michael-Jackson-Auditions-Dancers-For-Tour-And-Works-With-Director/Article/200905215280285 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ortega would serve as the director of the Michael Jackson Public Memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which was broadcast live on several networks on July 7, 2009, reaching a television audience of 31 million in America and more than one billion worldwide.

At the end of the service, he introduced a rendition of Jackson's 1985 charity single "[[We Are the World]]" created for the This Is It concerts, featuring Jackson's backing singers on lead vocals with his dancers performing around them. Ortega directed the concert film ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It]]'', which was put together from rehearsal footage recorded at the [[Los Angeles Forum]] and the [[Staples Center]]. The film was released on October 28 of the same year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/michael_jackson/2009/07/08/2009-07-08_michael_jacksons_memorial_2nd_mostwatched_funeral_ever_after_princess_di_say_nie.html |title=Michael Jackson's memorial 2nd most-watched funeral ever, after Princess Di, say Nielsen ratings |date=July 8, 2009 |work=Daily News |location=New York |first1=David |last1=Hinckley |first2=Richard |last2=Huff |access-date=August 11, 2009 |archive-date=August 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828131632/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/michael_jackson/2009/07/08/2009-07-08_michael_jacksons_memorial_2nd_mostwatched_funeral_ever_after_princess_di_say_nie.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=This Is It - Cast {{!}} IMDbPro|url=https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt1477715/fullcredits|access-date=2020-07-01|website=pro.imdb.com|archive-date=July 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701111211/https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt1477715/fullcredits|url-status=live}}</ref>

He was set to direct the 2011 ''[[Footloose (2011 film)|Footloose]]'' remake, but dropped out in October 2009 due to differences with [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] over the budget and tone of the film.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Michael|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/ortega-exits-paramount-s-footloose-1118010397/|title=Ortega exits Paramount's 'Footloose'|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 25, 2009|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518130437/https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/ortega-exits-paramount-s-footloose-1118010397/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ortega was also hired to direct a film adaptation of the [[Broadway musical]] ''[[In the Heights]]'' for [[Universal Pictures|Universal]], but the studio dropped the project in 2011 due to budgetary and casting issues.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2011/03/universal-dropping-musical-in-the-heights-118007/|title=Universal Dropping Musical 'In The Heights'|date=March 28, 2011|access-date=March 6, 2018|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=February 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222161822/http://deadline.com/2011/03/universal-dropping-musical-in-the-heights-118007/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 9, 2011, it was announced that Ortega would direct a remake of ''[[Dirty Dancing (2017 film)|Dirty Dancing]]'', a project that was later postponed. The [[Dirty Dancing (2017 film)|2017 TV remake]] was filmed without Ortega's involvement.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jen |last=Chaney |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/dirty-dancing-the-remake-should-it-be-pursued-or-put-in-a-corner-forever/2011/08/08/gIQAuJ7N3I_blog.html |title='Dirty Dancing' the remake: Should it be pursued or put in a corner forever? |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 8, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2016 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305125419/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/dirty-dancing-the-remake-should-it-be-pursued-or-put-in-a-corner-forever/2011/08/08/gIQAuJ7N3I_blog.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On May 12, 2014, Ortega guest-judged on the [[Dancing with the Stars (American season 18)|18th season of ''Dancing with the Stars'']] during the [[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 18)#Week 9: American Icons Night .28Semifinals.29|semifinals]].

In 2015, Ortega directed and choreographed ''[[Descendants (2015 film)|Descendants]]'' for the Disney Channel, a film based on the children of legendary [[Disney Villains]]. He would return in the same capacity for its two sequels, ''[[Descendants 2]]'' in 2017 and ''[[Descendants 3]]'' in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-12-12|title=Disney Channel announces 'Descendants,' movie about the villains' kids|url=https://www.hypable.com/disney-channel-original-villain-kids-movie-descendants/|access-date=2020-07-01|website=Hypable|language=en-US|archive-date=June 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629165125/https://www.hypable.com/disney-channel-original-villain-kids-movie-descendants/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, Ortega was honored with a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] and was named a [[Disney Legend]] at the 2019 [[D23 Expo]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-16|title=Meet the 2019 Disney Legends to Be Honored at D23 Expo|url=https://d23.com/2019-disney-legends/|access-date=2020-07-01|website=D23|language=en-US|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611164025/https://d23.com/2019-disney-legends/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Friedlander|first1=Whitney|date=2019-07-24|title='Descendants' Director Kenny Ortega Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/spotlight/descendants3-director-kenny-ortega-receives-star-hollywood-walk-fame-1203275882/|access-date=2020-07-01|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725133226/https://variety.com/2019/biz/spotlight/descendants3-director-kenny-ortega-receives-star-hollywood-walk-fame-1203275882/|url-status=live}}</ref>

That fall, he directed and served as executive producer of the Netflix Original series '' [[Julie and the Phantoms]]'', which premiered on Netflix on September 10, 2020.

==Personal life==
Ortega is [[Gay men|gay]], and in a 2014 interview with anti-bullying organization [[Bystander Revolution]], he said that "as a gay man having grown up in the 50s and 60s, I have to say, I'm very proud of the industry that I work in," referring to the acceptance of people with different sexual orientations in show business.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4079446/|title=Kenny Ortega - As a Gay Man|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=February 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212201744/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4079446/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the trial ''[[People v. Murray]]'' regarding the [[death of Michael Jackson]], Ortega was the trial's first witness.

In 2020, Ortega recalled being falsely arrested at the age of 21 after a chief of police planted narcotics in his hotel room, allegedly upset by his performance in a touring production of ''Hair''. The charges were dropped after investigations were made and Ortega recalled the arrest report identifying him as George Berger, the name of the character he played in the show.<ref name="variety.com"/>

==Filmography and concerts==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Choreographer
! Director
! Producer
! [[Rotten Tomatoes]]
! Budget
! Box office
|-
| 1980
| ''[[Xanadu (film)|Xanadu]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| 39%
| $20 million
| style="text-align:right;"| {{sort|$22.7 million|US$22.7 million}}
|-
| 1982
| ''[[One from the Heart]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| 48%
| $26 million
| style="text-align:right;"| $0.6 million
|-
| 1985
| ''[[St. Elmo's Fire (film)|St. Elmo's Fire]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| 47%
| $10 million
| style="text-align:right;"|$37.8 million
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Pretty in Pink]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| 81%
| $9 million
| style="text-align:right;"| $40.4 million
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Ferris Bueller's Day Off]]'' 
| {{Yes}}
| {{Partial|Second unit}}
| {{No}}
| 79%
| $6 million
| style="text-align:right;"| $70.1 million
|-
| 1987
|''[[Dirty Dancing]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| 72%
| $5 million
| style="text-align:right;"| $213.9 million
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Salsa (1988 film)|Salsa]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| 50%
| $6 million
| style="text-align:right;"| $8.8 million
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Shag (1989 film)|Shag]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| 64%
| $5 million
| style="text-align:right;"| $6.9 million
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Newsies]]'' 
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 30%
| $15 million
| style="text-align:right;"| $2.8 million
|-
| 1993
| ''[[Hocus Pocus (1993 film)|Hocus Pocus]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 32%
| $28 million
| style="text-align:right;" | $39.5 million
|-
| 1995
| ''[[To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| 42%
| {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:right;"| $47.7 million
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Quest for Camelot]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| 36%
| $40 million
| style="text-align:right;"| $22.5 million
|-
| 2008
| ''[[High School Musical 3: Senior Year]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes|Executive}}
| 65%
| $11 million
| style="text-align:right;"| $252.9 million
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| 81%
| $60 million
| style="text-align:right;"| $261.1 million
|-
| 2017
| ''[[A Change of Heart (film)|A Change of Heart]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Choreographer
! Director
! Producer
! class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Dirty Dancing (1988 TV series)|Dirty Dancing]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Hull High]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes|Executive}}
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Second Noah]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 1 episode
|-
| 1998–1999
| ''[[Chicago Hope]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Resurrection Blvd.]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 1 episode
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Grounded for Life]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 1 episode
|-
| 2001–2002
| ''[[Ally McBeal]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 3 episodes
|-
| 2002–2006
| ''[[Gilmore Girls]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 11 episodes
|-
| 2006
| ''[[High School Musical]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| Television movie
|-
| 2006
| ''[[The Cheetah Girls 2]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| Television movie
|-
| 2007
| ''[[High School Musical 2]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Television movie
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| 1 Episode<br>Cameo as Himself
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Bunheads]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 1 episode
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Descendants (2015 film)|Descendants]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes|Executive}}
| Television movie
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Crazy Ex-Girlfriend]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 1 episode
|-
| 2016
| ''[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| Television movie
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Descendants 2]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes|Executive}}
| Television movie
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Andi Mack]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| 1 episode
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Descendants 3]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes|Executive}}
| Television movie
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Julie and the Phantoms]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes|Executive}}
| [[Netflix]] series
|}

===Concerts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Choreographer
! Director
!Producer
! class="unsortable"| Notes
|- 
| 1989–1990
| [[Cher]]'s [[Heart of Stone Tour]]
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|- 
| 1991–1992
| [[Gloria Estefan]]'s Into The Light World Tour
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 1992–1993
| [[Michael Jackson]]'s [[Dangerous World Tour]]
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 1996–1997
| [[Gloria Estefan]]'s [[Evolution World Tour]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 1996–1997
| [[Michael Jackson]]'s [[HIStory World Tour]]
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|- 
| 2003
| [[Gloria Estefan]]'s [[Live & Unwrapped]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2004
| [[Gloria Estefan]]'s [[Live & Re-Wrapped Tour]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2006
| ''[[The Boy from Oz]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| Australian arena tour<ref>{{cite web|last=Rooney|first=David|url=https://variety.com/2006/legit/reviews/the-boy-from-oz-1200514370/|title=The Boy from Oz|date=August 6, 2006|access-date=March 13, 2018|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=November 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114040816/http://variety.com/2006/legit/reviews/the-boy-from-oz-1200514370/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2006–2007
| [[High School Musical: The Concert]]
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|-
| 2007–2008
| [[Hannah Montana]] & [[Miley Cyrus]]: [[Best of Both Worlds Tour (Miley Cyrus)|Best of Both Worlds Tour]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2009–2010 (cancelled)
| [[Michael Jackson]]'s [[This Is It (concert residency)|This Is It]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Association
! Category
! Work / nominee
! Result
! class="unsortable"|Ref.
|-
| 2001
| rowspan=3| [[Primetime Emmy Award]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography|Outstanding Choreography]]
| ''Grounded for Life''
| {{nom}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2001/outstanding-choreography |title=53rd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |website=Emmys.com |access-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306204356/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2001/outstanding-choreography |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2| 2002
| Outstanding Choreography {{small|(shared with Doug Jack and [[Sarah Kawahara]])}}
| rowspan=2| [[2002 Winter Olympics opening ceremony|Opening Ceremony Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games]]''
| {{won}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2002/outstanding-choreography |title=54th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |website=Emmys.com |access-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307035646/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2002/outstanding-choreography |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series|Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series]] {{small|(shared with [[Bucky Gunts]] and [[Ron de Moraes]])}}
| {{won}}
|align=center|<ref name="Tomlinson">{{cite journal |last1=Tomlinson |first1=Alan |title=Picturing the winter Olympics: The Opening ceremonies of Nagano (Japan) 1998 and Salt Lake City (USA) 2002 |journal=Tourism, Culture & Communication |date=1 January 2005 |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=83–92 |url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3699/4c27136fb43b409aa6bb877b61fc281289a4.pdf |access-date=28 September 2020 |doi=10.3727/109830405774791465 |s2cid=59142832 |archive-date=August 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801184405/https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Picturing-the-Winter-Olympics%3A-the-opening-of-1998-Tomlinson/36994c27136fb43b409aa6bb877b61fc281289a4?p2df |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=3| 2006
| [[Directors Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Children's Programs|Outstanding Directing – Children's Programs]]
| ''High School Musical''
| {{won}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/2000s/2006.aspx?value=2006|title=59th annual DGA awards|publisher=[[Directors Guild of America]]|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024065943/http://www.dga.org/Awards/History/2000s/2006.aspx?value=2006|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Primetime Emmy Award]]
| Outstanding Choreography {{small|(shared with [[Charles Klapow]] and [[Bonnie Story]])}}
| rowspan=2| ''High School Musical''
| {{won}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006/outstanding-choreography |title=58th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |website=Emmys.com |access-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626133727/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006/outstanding-choreography |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special]]
| {{nom}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006/outstanding-directing-for-a-miniseries-movie-or-a-dramatic-special |title=58th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |website=Emmys.com |access-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707065853/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006/outstanding-directing-for-a-miniseries-movie-or-a-dramatic-special |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|2007
| Directors Guild of America Awards
| Outstanding Directing – Children's Programs
| ''High School Musical 2''
| {{nom}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/2000s/2007.aspx?value=2007|title=60th annual DGA awards|publisher=[[Directors Guild of America]]|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=May 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519131907/https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/2000s/2007.aspx?value=2007|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Helpmann Awards]]
| [[Helpmann Award for Best Choreography in a Musical|Best Choreography in a Musical]] {{small|(shared with [[Kelley Abbey]])}}
| ''The Boy from Oz''
| {{won}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/2007/past-nominees-and-winners/musicals|title=Past nominees and winners, 2007|access-date=March 13, 2018|publisher=[[Helpmann Awards]]|archive-date=March 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313214405/http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/2007/past-nominees-and-winners/musicals|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|2008
| [[ALMA Award]] 
| Outstanding Director of a Made-for-TV Movie
| ''High School Musical 2''
| {{won}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almaawards.com/2008-winners.html |title=ALMA Awards 2012 |publisher=Alma Awards |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717032034/http://www.almaawards.com/2008-winners.html |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| Primetime Emmy Award
| Outstanding Choreography {{small|(shared with Charles Klapow and Bonnie Story)}}
| ''High School Musical 2''
| {{nom}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2008/outstanding-choreography |title=60th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |website=Emmys.com |access-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307034134/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2008/outstanding-choreography |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|2009
| National Association of Latino Independent Producers
| Outstanding Achievement Award
| Kenny Ortega
| {{Won}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.looktothestars.org/news/2417-ltts-exclusive-an-interview-with-high-school-musical-director-kenny-ortega|title=LTTS Exclusive: An Interview With High School Musical Director Kenny Ortega|author=Crystal A. Johnson|work=Look to the Stars|date=April 24, 2009|access-date=November 7, 2009|archive-date=November 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127124049/http://www.looktothestars.org/news/2417-ltts-exclusive-an-interview-with-high-school-musical-director-kenny-ortega|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Young Artist Award]]
| Jackie Coogan Award – Contribution to Youth
| ''High School Musical''
| {{won}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms30.html |title=30th Annual Young Artist Awards |access-date=May 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719205923/http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms30.html |archive-date=July 19, 2011 }}</ref>
|-
| 2015
| Directors Guild of America Awards
| Outstanding Directing – Children's Programs
| ''Descendants''
| {{won}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/2010s/2015.aspx?value=2006|title=68th annual DGA awards|publisher=[[Directors Guild of America]]|access-date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=June 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629165125/https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/2000s/2006.aspx?value=2006|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{IMDb name|650905}}
* [http://www.mvdbase.com/tech.php?last=Ortega&first=Kenny Kenny Orgeta] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022212348/http://www.mvdbase.com/tech.php?last=Ortega&first=Kenny |date=October 22, 2012 }} at MVDbase.com

{{Kenny Ortega}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Kenny Ortega
|list =
{{DirectorsGuildofAmericaAwardChildren's}}
{{Disney Legends Awards 2010s}}
{{EmmyAward Choreography}}
{{EmmyAward VarietySeriesDirecting}}
{{HelpmannAward ChoreographyMusical 2001-2020}}
}}
{{Michael Jackson}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ortega, Kenny}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
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[[Category:Sequoia High School (Redwood City, California) alumni]]
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