Julie Arenal Primus choreographed the original production of Hair on Broadway, which she later restaged in Europe, as well as Indians and Boccaccio. She has choreographed and directed such shows as Funny Girl in Japan and Jesus Christ Superstar in Sweden. Additionally, Primus has choreographed for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Mark Taper Forum, Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Arena Theater in Washington, DC, Shakespeare Festival LA, and also for the NYC Opera, LA Opera, Michigan Opera, and the San Francisco Opera.

As director/choreographer of New York Express Hip Hop Dance Company, Primus toured China, Japan, and Spoleto Festival Italy. Choreography for film credits include The Good Shepherd, Mistress, and Great Expectations, and for PBS, American Family. Primus is one of the founders of East L.A. Classic Theatre. She was nominated for the Connecticut Critics Awards as Best Choreographer, Best Director, and Best Ensemble for Hair and won Best Director and Best Ensemble. Her work is archived at NYPL at Lincoln Center.