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David Blixt

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David Blixt BIO

Actor, director, fight director, author, and playwright, David Blixt's credits include Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, the Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, the Shakespeare Theatre of DC, First Folio Shakespeare, Northlight Theatre, Lifeline, Griffin, among many others. David is an Artistic Associate at the Michigan Shakespeare Festival and founding member of A Crew Of Patches Theatre Company, a Shakespeare rep in Chicago. Past Shakespeare roles include Macbeth, Mercutio, Petruchio, Oberon, Orsino, Oliver, Benedick, Berowne, Laertes, Leontes, Iacomo, Antipholus of Ephesus, Pistol, the Douglas, Hubert, Exton, Edward III, Edward IV, and Richmond. Other roles include Algernon (THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST), Primus (STARDUST), Damis (TARTUFFE), Sir Lucius O'Trigger (THE RIVALS), Thomas Mendip (THE LADY'S NOT FOR BURNING), Man (CLOSETLAND), Jeffrey Calloway (JEFFREY), Wint Selby (AH, WILDERNESS), Eugene Marchbanks (CANDIDA), and Septimus Hodge (ARCADIA).

He has directed several award-winning productions of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED), as well as ROMEO & JULIET, MACBETH, JULIUS CAESAR, and OTHELLO.

As fight director, he choreographed the world premiere of THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS at Steppenwolf, DRY LAND at Rivendell, MACBETH at The Artistic Home (Jeff nominated Best Fight Direction), among others. He assisted Rick Sordelet for Bob Falls' KING LEAR at the Goodman Theatre. David's fight work has also been seen at the First Folio Shakespeare Festival, Hope Summer Rep, Arts Lane, and many more. He is the resident fight Director for both the Michigan Shakespeare Festival and A Crew Of Patches Theatre Company. He is the resident stage combat instructor for the Chicago High School for the Arts.

Grounded in theatre, Blixt's work as a writer is consistently described as "intricate," "taut," and "breathtaking." A writer of Historical Fiction, his novels span the early Roman Empire (the COLOSSUS series, his play EVE OF IDES) to early Renaissance Italy (the STAR-CROSS'D series) up through the Elizabethan era (his delightful espionage comedy HER MAJESTY'S WILL, starring Will Shakespeare and Kit Marlowe as inept spies). His novels combine a love of the theatre with a deep respect for the quirks and passions of history.

Winner 2014 Wilde Award for Best Actor in a Comedy - Algernon, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Michigan Shakespeare Festival

Member of AEA

David Blixt News


Full Cast and Creative Team Revealed For GUN & POWDER at Paper Mill Playhouse


Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the full cast and creative team for the new musical Gun & Powder. Learn more about the team here!

Kokandy Productions, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre & More Nominated for 2023 Jeff Awards- See the Full List!


Celebrating its 50th anniversary awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater, the Joseph Jefferson Awards has revealed its nominations for theater excellence among Non-Equity theater during the 2023 season.

The Artistic Home Will Stage Jen Silverman's WITCH in October


 The Artistic Home will stage Jen Silverman’s WITCH – in which a charming devil arrives in the quiet village of Edmonton to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Learn more about the production and how to get tickets here!

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of The Artistic Home's MALAPERT LOVE


See photos of the Artistic Home's world premiere of Siah Berlatsky’s Shakespeare-inspired, gender-bending romantic comedy Malapert Love, developed as part of the company’s Summer on the Patio series.

KINKY BOOTS; GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR; and More Take Home 2021-22 Joseph Jefferson Equity Awards


The Joseph Jefferson Awards in Chicago were presented on October 17, 2022, at Drury Lane in Oakbrook, IL. Winners included Kinky Boots; Good Night, Oscar; and more!

World Premiere of MALAPERT LOVE to be Presented by The Artistic Home in November


The Artistic Home will present the world premiere of Siah Berlatsky’s Shakespeare-inspired, gender-bending romantic comedy Malapert Love, developed as part of the company’s Summer on the Patio series. Directed by ensemble member Julian Hester, Malapert Love will play November 5 – December 11, 2022 at The Den Theatre’s Upstairs Mainstage.

Nominees Announced for 2022 Jeff Awards In Chicago; Drury Lane & Goodman Theatre Lead Nominations


Recognizing a strong return to the spotlight over the 2021-2022 Equity theater season, the Joseph Jefferson Awards in Chicago announced its nominations for theater excellence. This year’s nominees include 201 theater artists across 38 categories of excellence in theater production among shows from 43 companies.

Equity Jeff Awards Announce 2022 Nominations


The Joseph Jefferson Awards have announced this year's Equity nominations, including 201 theater artists across 38 categories.  The 54th anniversary Equity Jeff Awards will take place October 17, 2022, at Drury Lane in Oakbrook, IL. 

Cast Announced for MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Drury Lane Theatre


Drury Lane Theatre will continue its 2022/2023 season with Agatha Christie’s famous mystery Murder on the Orient Express, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, directed by Jessica Fisch. Murder on the Orient Express runs August 31– October 23, 2022.

Writers Theatre to Produce ATHENA by Gracie Gardner


Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Interim Artistic Director Bobby Kennedy, continues its 2021/22 Season with Athena, by Gracie Gardner, directed by Jessica Fisch in the Gillian Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Memoir By Broadway Stage Manager Richard Hester 'Hold, Please' is Available for Pre-Sale


Veteran Broadway Stage Manager Richard Hester (Jersey Boys) releases “Hold, Please: Stage Managing A Pandemic,” a memoir of the year Broadway went dark.   

Nominees Announced For the 45th Annual Non�"Equity Jeff Awards; Griffin Theatre Company Leads With 14 Nominations


The Jeff Awards announced today a total of 115 nominations in 19 categories for the 45th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards.

Photo Flash: First Look at JULIUS CAESAR at the Michigan Shakespeare Festival


The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, the official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan, presents Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR, directed by MSF Producing Artistic Director Janice L Blixt. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Michigan Shakespeare Festival presents Reading of a New Julius Caesar Play


The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, the Official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan, has announced two very special events taking place this upcoming week.

Michigan Shakespeare Festival Opens JULIUS CAESAR And World Premiere Translation of Chekhov's THE SEAGULL


The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, the Official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan, opened their final two productions of the 2017 Season.  Saturday night was the opening of Shakespeare's political tragedy JULIUS CAESAR starring MSF Artistic Associates Robert Kauzlaric as Brutus and Brandon St. Clair Saunders as Cassius and directed by Producing Artistic Director Janice L Blixt. 

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Opens 2017 Michigan Shakespeare Festival Season


The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, the Official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan, opened their 2017 MSF Season Saturday night with an hilarious and romantic performance of Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW.

Married Couple to Return for 20th Anniversary TAMING OF THE SHREW at Michigan Shakespeare Festival


Twenty years ago the fledgling Jackson Shakespeare Festival mounted a production of The Taming Of The Shrew. In the director's chair was internationally-renowned actor/director/playwright John Neville-Andrews. On stage was the first pairing of Janice Waldron and David Blixt, playing opposite each other as Kate and Petruchio. Waldron had just graduated from the Hilberry conservatory program in Detroit, while Ann Arbor native Blixt had performed as Mercutio at the festival the previous year. The results were electric.

Married Couple to Return for 20th Anniversary TAMING OF THE SHREW at Michigan Shakespeare Festival


Twenty years ago the fledgling Jackson Shakespeare Festival mounted a production of The Taming Of The Shrew. In the director's chair was internationally-renowned actor/director/playwright John Neville-Andrews. On stage was the first pairing of Janice Waldron and David Blixt, playing opposite each other as Kate and Petruchio. Waldron had just graduated from the Hilberry conservatory program in Detroit, while Ann Arbor native Blixt had performed as Mercutio at the festival the previous year. The results were electric.

Photo Flash: Sneak Peek - Lifeline Theatre to Present HER MAJESTY'S WILL


Lifeline Theatre presents the world premiere of Her Majesty's Will, adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric (Non-Equity Jeff Awards: New Adaptation, The Island of Dr. Moreau and Neverwhere), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, based on the 2013 novel by Chicago-based author/actor/fight choreographer (and Rogers Park resident) David Blixt, who will design the violence for the production. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in character below!

Lifeline Theatre to Stage World Premiere of HER MAJESTY'S WILL


Lifeline Theatre presents the world premiere of Her Majesty's Will, adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric (Non-Equity Jeff Awards: New Adaptation, The Island of Dr. Moreau and Neverwhere), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, based on the 2013 novel by Chicago-based author/actor/fight choreographer (and Rogers Park resident) David Blixt, who will design the violence for the production.

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