We’re looking forward to introducing you to David Ellenstein. Check out our conversation below.
Hi David, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity. My father used to say, “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember what you say”. Being honest, respectful and trustworthy is a credo I try to live by in all my relationships in business and personally. Feeling good about how I treat others is a priority for me and allows me to keep a clearer and more focused mind.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I am David Ellenstein. I have spent my entire lifetime working in the theatre as an actor, director and Artistic Director. For the last 23 years I have been the Artistic Director of North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach CA. North Coast Rep is a 194 seat professional theatre that produces 7 mainstage productions, a holiday show, numerous special performances in a Variety Night series and has a Theatre School. As a single stage theatre company, North Coast Rep is among the busiest theatres in the United States, boasting an increasing subscription program and a 4.6 million dollar annual budget. Attending a play at North Coast Rep is an extremely intimate experience, where the quality of actors is as high as at any regional theatre. In the theatre, seeing brilliant acting is my priority.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I believed that my flaws and my sensitivity were going to prevent me from achieving what I hoped to. I thought that feeling insecure and unsure of myself was a unique thing to me. Maturing, and understanding that everyone has doubts and vulnerabilies, allowed me to accept the elements of myself that made me hesitate or avoid situations that could propel me forward, and to be more confidant to move forward and follow my artistic and personal path.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In my early 30’s, I had experienced some success as an actor on stage and in TV appearances, but I was still mightily struggling to make a living as an actor in LA. I was still required to keep a “straight job” to survive, and I was getting frustrated that my success and validation was not leading to an economically sustaining life. I thought long and hard about giving up my dream of a life spent in the theatre. After about 6 months of considering other options, I decided the struggle to continue pursuing my passion was more important than being financially comfortable. I have been very fortunate to have found a way to be a full time theatre maker and support myself doing so.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I believe it is. I try to be kind and caring to all people I encounter – from the theatre artists I work with, to the volunteers, to the patrons I encounter. at the theatre. In personal life, I go out of my to be kind and generous to all service workers and strangers I encounter. I am also known to be stubborn when it comes to my unwaivering commitment to creating the best productions possible. I will make tough choices to protect the work – sometimes, that might seem “pig headed”, but as an Artistic Director, I fiercely defend and work for the integrity of the organization.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When have you had to bet the company?
During covid. Difficult decisions had to be made regarding how we would deal with the world in pandemic. We had disagreement on our Board about what the best course was. Some felt that we should lay everyone off and basically hunker down until it passed. I was very opposed to this idea and insisted that we knew what we couldn’t do – so we needed to figure out what we could do. I took a hard stand and we went forward. We purchased three cameras, editing software, and went forward and produced 8 filmed plays to keep our audience engaged throughout the shut down – even though they couldn’t attend in person. We were able to keep our entire production and administrative staff employed. It was a huge gamble – but paid off in a huge way – and we came out of the pandemic stronger than we went into it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://northcoastrep.org
Image Credits
Kandis Chappell in Eleanor directed by David
David with J Todd Adams in A Walk In The Woods
James Sutorius and Emily Goss in Trying directed by David
Erin Grennan, David and Denise Young (wife) at remiere of Beside Myself directed by David
David with Amanda Sitton, Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper and Louis Lotorto in Laughter on the 23rd Floor
