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David Ellenstein

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BIO

David Ellenstein ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Born into a theatrical family, David has worked in theatres across the country. Before joining North Coast Rep in 2003 he served as Artistic Director for the Los Angeles Repertory Company and the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company (AJTC). A veteran of over 250 theatrical productions, directorial favorites include: North Coast Rep ? All in the Timing, Holmes & Watson, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Father, This Random World, Travels with My Aunt, The Illusion, Hedda Gabler (World Premiere Translation), Way Downriver; William Faulkner?s ?Old Man? (West Coast Premiere), Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Great Nome Gold Rush (World Premiere), Side By Side By Sondheim, Chapter Two, Freud?s Last Session (San Diego Premiere), Faded Glory (World Premiere), Mandate Memories (World Premiere), Becoming Cuba (World Premiere), Time Stands Still, Words by: Ira Gershwin and the Great American Songbook (World Premiere), Two by Pinter: The Lover and The Dumb Waiter, HENRY IV Part 1, Heroes, My Name is Asher Lev, The Drawer Boy, Becky?s New Car, Ghosts, The Tempest, Talley?s Folly, Over the Tavern, Old Wicked Songs, The Dresser, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Madagascar, A Shayna Maidel, The Honky-Tonk Angels, Rashomon, A Moon for the Misbegotten; Tuesdays With Morrie; Collected Stories; Halpern and Johnson; Romeo and Juliet; Amy?s View; Einstein Comes Through (also co-author); The Chosen; A Life in the Theatre; Story Theatre and Charley?s Aunt. Coconut Grove Playhouse - Sonia Flew starring Lucie Arnaz; Halpern and Johnson starring Hal Linden and Brian Murray. Papermill Playhouse - The Chosen starring Theodore Bikel and John Lloyd Young. 59E59 - His Royal Hipness Lord Buckley. Park Square & Colony Theatre ? Words By. Portland Stage - Halpern and Johnson. Renaissance Theatre - Long Day?s Journey Into Night. Actor?s Theatre of Phoenix - Rabbit Hole. Alabama Shakespeare Festival - The Glass Menagerie, Rocket City (World Premiere) and Honky-Tonk Angels. Laguna Playhouse - Chapatti, Alexandros (World Premiere). Southwest Shakespeare Company - Cyrano de Bergerac. AJTC - Awake and Sing. Meadow Brook Theatre - A Christmas Carol. Portland Rep - Conversations With My Father and Gaslamp Quarter Theatre - A Shayna Maidel Favorite roles as an actor include Max Prince from Laughter? on the 23rd Floor, Matt in Talley?s Folly at North Coast Rep, title roles in Hamlet at Los Angeles Theatre Center and Los Angeles Repertory Company; Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at Moonlight Stage, Richard III at California Shakespeare Festival; Einstein in Picasso at the Lapin Agile at Laguna Playhouse; Calisto in?The Illusion at the Arizona Theatre Company; Jonathan in Sight Unseen at North Coast Rep and Portland Repertory Theatre. Film and television credits include over three dozen roles including ?Star Trek IV,? ?The Practice,? ?Foul Play,? ?Christine Cromwell,? ?Renegade,? ?Eight is Enough? and ?General Hospital.? David has also been guest faculty for numerous universities including California State Northridge, Cal Arts, and Shakespeare workshops privately.

Videos

News


BESIDE MYSELF by Paul Slade Smith to be Presented at Laguna Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 30, 2025

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE will present the second show of its 2025/2026 season with the rolling world premiere comedy, BESIDE MYSELF by Paul Slade Smith. Learn more!
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET and More Set for Rubicon Theatre Company 2025"2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 20, 2025

Rubicon Theatre Company has announced its 2025–2026 season, Crossroads: Moments That Can Change Everything, the final season curated by Producing Artistic Director and Co-Founder Karyl Lynn Burns.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 16, 2025
by - Sep 16, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 16, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
David Ellenstein Resigns as Artistic Director of Laguna Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2025

David Ellenstein has resigned his position as Artistic Director of the Laguna Playhouse effective November 16, 2025.  Learn more about Ellenstein here!
Portland Stage to Present Mark St. Germain’s ELEANOR Starring Kandis Chappell
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 10, 2025

Portland Stage will open its 52nd season with Eleanor by Mark St. Germain, a powerful solo show that brings First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to life in an intimate, deeply human portrait.
North Coast Repertory Theatre Opens Season 44 With World Premiere Of BESIDE MYSELF
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 28, 2025

North Coast Rep opens its 44th season with the world premiere of Paul Slade Smith’s comedy Beside Myself, running September 10 – October 5, 2025, in Solana Beach. Directed by David Ellenstein, the witty new play explores modern anxiety, identity, and self-discovery. Tickets at northcoastrep.org.
Photos: HONKY TONK ANGELS at Laguna Playhouse
by Emmy Rice - Aug 2, 2025

Production photos for Honky Tonk Angels at Laguna Playhouse, written by Ted Swindley, choreography by Jill Gorrie, musical direction by John Massey and direction by David Ellenstein, have just been released. See the photos here! 
Laguna Playhouse Receives $4,000 Grant from FOA Foundation to Support Youth Arts Education
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 31, 2025

Laguna Playhouse has announced it has received a $4,000 grant from the FOA Foundation to support its year-round educational programming for children and teens in Orange County. The grant will help fund the theatre’s monthly workshops, summer camps, Youth Theatre Conservatory productions, and TheatreReach student matinee series.
Interview: Couples Take the Lead in A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at North Coast Repertory Theatre
by ErinMarie Reiter - Jul 16, 2025

Two married couples take center stage—on and off—in North Coast Rep’s 'A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.' Director Noelle Marion and her husband, Andrew Polec (playing Monty), along with the ensemble's married duo, Shinah and Andrew Hey, share how love, collaboration, and a little comedic chaos fuel this fast-paced, multi-role musical.
Laguna Playhouse Names Adele Adkins New Managing Director
by Emmy Rice - Jul 11, 2025

After conducting an extensive nationwide search led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG), Laguna Playhouse is pleased to welcome Adele Adkins as its new Managing Director, effective immediately.
Laguna Playhouse Finishes 2024-2025 Season with HONKY TONK ANGELS
by Emmy Rice - Jul 11, 2025

Laguna Playhouse will present the final show of its 2024/2025 season, the boot-scootin’, foot-stompin’, dancin’ in the aisles, country music party of the year, Honky Tonk Angels, written by Ted Swindley, choreography by Jill Gorrie, musical direction by John Massey and direction by David Ellenstein.
BIRTHDAY CANDLES Extends at North Coast Repertory Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 17, 2025

North Coast Repertory Theatre has extended its production of Noah Haidle’s BIRTHDAY CANDLES, a touching tribute to one woman’s life. Learn more about the production here.
Review: BIRTHDAY CANDLES at North Coast Repertory Theatre
by ErinMarie Reiter - Jun 10, 2025

“Birthday Candles”, now playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre, is a curious mix because existentialism and birthday cake are not a combo I usually crave. Yet thanks to a charming cast and a moving central performance by Margot White, this blend of humor, heartache, and hope is something richer than expected.
Interview: Cate Caplin on Directing THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR
by Shari Barrett - Jun 10, 2025

Inspired by a 1924 drawing room comedy by Ferenc Molnar, The Angel Next Door was  originally commissioned by David Ellenstein for North Coast Rep and the Laguna Playhouse. Following its September 2023 premiere, the romp has gone on to delight theatergoers all over the country.
Photos: BIRTHDAY CANDLES At North Coast Repertory Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2025

Playgoers are in for a treat as North Coast Repertory Theatre will present Noah Haidle’s BIRTHDAY CANDLES, a touching tribute to one woman’s life. Check out photos from the show.
BIRTHDAY CANDLES Will Play North Coast Repertory Theatre
by Emmy Rice - May 24, 2025

Playgoers are in for a treat as North Coast Repertory Theatre presents Noah Haidle's Birthday Candles, a touching tribute to one woman's life. See here for more details.
BIRTHDAY CANDLES Comes to North Coast Repertory Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2025

 Playgoers are in for a treat as North Coast Repertory Theatre presents Noah Haidle’s BIRTHDAY CANDLES, a touching tribute to one woman’s life.
THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR Comes to International City Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2025

International City Theatre will present the Los Angeles premiere of The Angel Next Door, a deliciously screwy rom-com by Paul Slade Smith, the playwright behind last season's hit comedy The Outsider.
THE MALTESE FALCON World Premiere and More Set for Laguna Playhouse 2025/26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 11, 2025

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE has revealed its 2025-2026 season of shows! The season opens with the Tony award-winning musical, A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. See the full season lineup here!
YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU At North Coast Repertory Theatre
by Emmy Rice - Mar 15, 2025

Step into the wonderfully chaotic world of You Can't Take It with You, the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart! Check here for more details.

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