David Staller

David Staller
Born	(1955-11-16) November 16, 1955 Glencoe, Illinois, USA
Occupation	Actor, Director, Artistic Director of Gingold Theatrical Group
Years active	1973-Present

David Staller (born November 16, 1955) is an American Theatre Director and Actor. He is the founding Artistic Director of the Off-Broadway Theatre Company, Gingold Theatrical Group. As an actor, Staller appeared on Broadway and Off-Broadway in over 50 plays. His performance in Gas Light earned him a Distinguished Performer citation from the Drama League.^[1]

Early life

Staller was born in Glencoe, Illinois. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, studied acting under Lee Strasberg and Uta Hagen, and studied Cello at the University of Southern California with Mstislav Rostropovich.^[2]

His godmother was British actress Hermione Gingold. As a tribute to her, Staller named Gingold Theatrical Group after her.

Stage work

Staller is a noted performer and director on the New York Stage. He became a member of The Actors Company Theatre company in its 1995-96 season, appearing in over 10 productions with them.^[2] In a Co-production with Gingold Theatrical Group and The Actors Company Theatre, Staller directed George Bernard Shaw's Widowers' Houses.

As an actor, Staller's appearances on Broadway include Cabaret, where he originated the role of Ernst Ludwig in the 1987 revival, Evita, and Hello, Dolly!

Staller has made over 50 appearances Off-Broadway, including performances in Gas Light, for which he received a Drama League Citation for Distinguished Performer, Mrs. Warren's Profession,^[3] The Bald Soprano, and Hay Fever.

As a director, Staller became the first person to direct all of George Bernard Shaw's 65 plays, including his last unfinished work, Why She Would Not, wherein Staller commissioned writers Israel Horovitz, David Cote, Michael Feingold, Jeremy McCarter and Robert Simonson to write their own endings to the piece.^[4]

Staller has directed four off-broadway productions as a part of Gingold Theatrical Group's annual festival, Shaw New York. In a co-production with Gingold Group and The Irish Repertory Theatre, he directed Shaw's Man and Superman. With Gingold Group and The Pearl Theatre, Staller directed Shaw's You Never Can Tell and Major Barbara.

Writing

Staller worked as a Script Doctor in the 1970s. He wrote his own one man show, Noel and Cole, which he performed at multiple venues, including Carnegie Hall.^[5] With Gingold Theatrical Group, Staller has adapted pieces by George Bernard Shaw. the 2012 Off-Broadway Revial of Man and Superman was both directed by and adapted by Staller.

Gingold Theatrical Group

In 2006, Staller founded Gingold Theatrical Group, a New York Based Residency Theatre whose mission is to present "works celebrating human rights and free speech using the outspoken humanitarian precepts of George Bernard Shaw as its platform to entertain, enlighten and enrich." ^[6]

The Gingold Theatrical Group became a fully incorporated 501.c.3 not for profit organization.

Staller has consistently directed the group's monthly Project Shaw series. Here, he has directed pieces both by George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries or those inspired by him. In 2009, Staller became the first director to have directed all of George Bernard Shaw's works.^[7]

Other work

Staller has frequently hosts discussions and talks on George Bernard Shaw.

As a lecturer, Staller has led classes at Baruch College and Lighthouse International as well as a course with Stony Brook University.

Staller appears as a voice actor in David Chesky's animated musical film The Mice War.

Personal life

Staller and Robert Osborne, a noted journalist and the longtime host of Turner Classic Movies, were in a relationship for 20 years prior to Osborne's death, in 2017; it was Staller who confirmed Osborne's death to the media.^[8]

References