We were lucky to catch up with David Ellenstein recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi David, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My father, Robert Ellenstein, was a well known actor/director/theatre professional. He co-starred opposite Juliet Prowse on and off for several years in the musical Irma La Douce. At 4 years old I attended a matinee performance and watched my father cavort about the stage with such glee; such reckless abandon. He was so full of life and completely embraced with joy by the 2000 people in the audience, I knew there and then that was what I wanted to do. Though some of the specifics have adjusted and changed throughout my life, the desire and commitment to work in the professional theatre has never wavered.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Lucky to have grown up in the business, my career began as a teenager both on television, film and in the theatre. I spent many years as an actor and was fortunate to assay many of the great roles including Hamlet and Richard III. My directing career also began when I was young and as time progressed it slowly became the majority of my work. I also was guest faculty ant numerous universities. I eventually became Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Repertory Company and the Arizona Jewish Theatre. My wife Denise and I had children later in life, and in 2003 when the opportunity to relocate to San Diego and become Artistic Director of North Coast Repertory Theatre became an option, we took it. My first goal upon arrival was to professionalize the organization and to become an Actors Equity Association theatre where everyone was paid. We were able to accomplish that within my first two years. Then the goal was to put on the highest quality shows possible in our intimate venue. I am most proud to be able to offer a safe and creative working environment to theatre artists who have made the necessary sacrifices to call the theatre their profession. Though we only have 194 seats, we employ top professional actors locally and from across the country. We do a broad spectrum of genres and types of plays. Not everyone enjoys every kind of play, but if they come to North Coast Rep they will see a top quality production.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During the pandemic, as theatre companies shut down around the country, we chose to not give in to that scenario. We decided to figure out what we “could” do and not what we “couldn’t”. I started a recoded series of zoom interviews with theatre artists called “Theatre Conversations” – where I interviewed friends and colleagues about their work and their lives working in the theatre. Over the course of the pandemic we offered our patrons more than three dozen of these. They are still available to be viewed through our website northcoastrep.org We were fortunate to have two staff members with cinematic knowledge and know how. We purchased three cameras, a super computer and editing software and proceeded to make 8 fully filmed productions of plays. Following all health requirements of the time, we rehearsed, filmed and edited each, recreating as “live” a feel as we could. As far as I can tell, we were as busy or busier than any other theatre company in the country during that time period . Not only did our patrons respond with loyalty and generosity, we gained national attention for our efforts. If there is a field that requires resilliency and the nimbleness to adjust and change course and make the best of whatever situation comes along, it is the theatre. I remain so proud of our entire team for what we were able to accomplish against the odds.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I want to be part of making the world a better place. The theatre has always been a home for me where I am at my best. It not only brings out my creative spirit and talent, but it makes me a better citizen, friend and colleague. Seeing the impact our productions have on the audience carries such a profound feeling of engagement. Whether they are laughing with delight, touched to their core, or thinking and questioning a belief, we are contributing to making a more vibrant community. Add to that supplying a creative space for theatre artists to ply their wares – it is a mission for me to continue to do what I can to allow this positive communal experience to thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: northcoastrep.org
• Instagram: @NorthCoastRep
• Facebook: facebook.com/NorthCoastRep
• Twitter: twitter.com/NorthCoastRep
• Youtube: youtube.com/c/TheatreConversations

Image Credits
David, Peter and Robert Ellenstein in Broadway Bound at Alaska Repertory Theatre David Ellenstein and Patricia Houston in Hamlet at Los Angeles Repertory Theatre David Ellenstein in Fiddler On The Roof at Moonlight Amphitheater David Ellenstein and Craig DiLorenzo in My Name Is Asher Lev at North Coast Repertory Theatre Hawthorne James and Ray Chambers in Necessary Sacrifices at North Coast Repertory Theatre The Cast in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at North Coast Repertory Theatre Ron Housman, Juliet Prowse and Robert Ellenstein publicity shot for Irma La Douce Christopher Williams, Emily Goss, Richard Dreyfuss, David Ellenstein, Jeff Cohen and Dee Pellitier