News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
David Ellenstein Headshot

David Ellenstein

Get David Ellenstein Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

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.

News


ELEANOR by Mark St. Germain to be Presented at Laguna Playhouse

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE will present one of the most iconic first ladies in American history, Kandis Chappell is Eleanor Roosevelt in ELEANOR written by Mark St. Germain and directed by David Ellenstein. Learn more!
Bill Kerlin Steps Down as Managing Director of the Laguna Playhouse

Laguna Playhouse announced that Bill Kerlin will step down from his position as Managing Director of the Laguna Playhouse to focus solely on his work as Managing Director of North Coast Repertory.  
Laguna Playhouse to Present Three Holiday Shows This Month

Laguna Playhouse is inviting audiences to enjoy the holiday season with three magical holiday shows. Learn more about the shows and how to get tickets here!
Photos: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE at Laguna Playhouse

Laguna Playhouse is presenting A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE by Arthur Miller and directed by David Ellenstein. The production will run through Sunday, November 17 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Dr. in Laguna Beach. Check out photos here!
Centenary Stage Company's Fringe Festival to Begin with DR. GLAS Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher

Centenary Stage Company's Fringe Festival will begin with DR. GLAS, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher and featuring Daniel Gerroll. The production explores moral dilemmas and psychological intrigue. Learn how to purchase tickets.
A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE Comes to Laguna Playhouse Next Month

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE will present A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE by Arthur Miller and directed by David Ellenstein. Performances run October 30 - November 17.
Video: First Look at A View from the Bridge at North Coast Rep

Get a first look at North Coast Rep's A View from the Bridge in this all-new trail! Taut, gripping, and utterly compelling, critics are calling A View from the Bridge 'a triumphant production of an American classic!' Now extended by popular demand until October 13th!
Review: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE at North Coast Repertory Theatre

“A View From The Bridge,” now playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre through October 13th, brings a classic to the stage anchored by powerful performances.
Sally Struthers to Star in RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH at The Laguna Playhouse this December

Laguna Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Productions have announced that Sally Struthers will star as “Madame Gothel” in the world premiere of RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH, written by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Becky Lythgoe, supervising director is Bonnie Lythgoe, choreography by Becca Sweitzer and musical direction by Andy Street. 
Photos: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE Extended At North Coast Repertory Theatre

North Coast Repertory Theatre begins Season 43 with Arthur Miller’s explosive masterpiece, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE. See photos from the production.
A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE Comes to North Coast Repertory Theatre Next Month

North Coast Repertory Theatre will begin Season 43 with Arthur Miller’s explosive masterpiece, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE.
Review: HOLMES & WATSON at Laguna Playhouse

Lovers of Agatha Christie, Knives Out, Michael Connelly, and of course, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, will be absolutely delighted by this fiendish period mystery starring everyone’s favorite sleuth and cocaine addict.
Photos: First Look at HOLMES & WATSON at Laguna Playhouse

Laguna Playhouse is now presenting HOLMES & WATSON, written by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Laguna Playhouse artistic director David Ellenstein. Check out all new photos here!
Laguna Playhouse to Present HOLMES & WATSON This Month

Laguna Playhouse will present HOLMES & WATSON, written by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Laguna Playhouse artistic director David Ellenstein. Learn how to purchase tickets.
North Coast Repertory Theatre Reveals 2024-25 Season

North Coast Repertory Theatre has announced its Season 43 (2024-2025). This season’s roster includes a World Premiere comic mystery, three San Diego premieres, a Tony Award-winning musical, a searing classic drama, an inspiring autobiographical piece, a family comedy, a new and hilarious Hercule Poirot mystery, a unique look at the Asian immigration experience, and one century-old cake. 
SENSE OF DECENCY To Have World Premiere At North Coast Repertory Theatre

SENSE OF DECENCY will have its world premiere at North Coast Repertory Theatre this spring.
Laguna Playhouse Raises $370,000 at Annual Gala

Laguna Playhouse announced that they raised $370,000 at its annual gala “Oh What a Night! Celebrating Songs from Jersey Boys & The Sensational 60s” that was held on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at the Laguna Playhouse.
Review: A SHAYNA MAIDEL at Laguna Playhouse

This acclaimed play by Barbara Lebow is beautifully produced by the award-winning creative team at the Laguna Playhouse, with great sensitivity, rich texture, and mature brilliance in the direction by David Ellenstein.
Photos: First Look at A SHAYNA MAIDEL at Laguna Playhouse

Laguna Playhouse is now presenting A SHAYNA MAIDEL, written by Barbara Lebow and directed by Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director David Ellenstein. Check out all new photos here!
Laguna Playhouse To Present CAMELOT, FENCES, And More For 2024-2025 Season

Discover the 2024-2025 season of shows at LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE, featuring performances like CAMELOT, August Wilson's FENCES, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, and more.

Get David Ellenstein Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos