David Kersnar
Biography
David Kersnaris a founding ensemble member of the Tony Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company of Chicago where he has directed, performed, written, designed and taught for the company since 1988. Kersnar served as the Lookingglass Artistic Director, founded and directed Lookingglass Education & Community Programs, and served as Master Teacher. Kersnar directed his co-adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas for the Lookingglass 30thanniversary season. Other directing and writing credits include premiere productions at Next Theatre, Chicago Lyric Opera, Chicago Symphony, Lively Arts and Chicago Children’s Theatre and Chicago Children’s Choir. Kersnar also worked with the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Remains Theatre, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Actor’s Gang, Touchstone Theatre and the Alley Theatre of Houston. Kersnar has served as Theatre Chair for Monterey Peninsula College as well as professor of theatre at such institutions as Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin – Madison, DePaul University, Roosevelt University and University of Illinois.Kersnar co-founded and produced over 40 films and plays nationally and internationally with Shaking the Tree Interactive Productions, which uses theatrical problem-solving techniques in business environments. Film and television credits include U.S. Marshals, Since You’ve Been Gone, Early Edition, and Turks. David holds a BS in theatre/performance studies and a MFA in directing from Northwestern University.