Don is thrilled to be back directing and more hands on with the productions at Stage Door after a recent 3 year stint in New York City! While in NYC he worked as a commercial casting director for GENUINE: The Real People Company and several other casting companies in NY and LA. You can continue to see many commercials Don was a part of casting airing today!  Don continues to work remotely as a casting director but is excited to be back to work full time as a director, teacher and mentor to youth through Stage Door Fine Arts!

After graduating from Millikin University in Decatur, IL with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre, Don also spent three years in New York City working as a performer, teacher, nanny and film extra (most notably in Spiderman 3).  

Prior to establishing Stage Door Fine Arts, Don was the Director of Musical Theatre for Oakbrook Academy of Music & Art where he taught vocal lessons, drama classes and directed and vocal directed all musical productions beginning in the Summer of 2007.  Previous to becoming a full time teacher and director for Oakbrook Academy Don worked as a guest director and taught various classes and workshops for the academy starting in 2001.  Don is very proud of his work with Oakbrook Academy and is thrilled to have had the opportunity to help their program grow and change while working with some wonderful people!

Previously he has taught voice and drama for Applause Theatrical Workshops/Broadway Babies in New York City, Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, IL, Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, The Grand Lake Colorado Park District, St. Isaac Jogues Middle School and as the Fellowship Choir Director for First Congregational Church of Downers Grove.  While at Millikin Don completed a three-year honors research project on the educating of children and adults through musical theatre, culminating in the direction of the main stage musical production, Honk! which included a cast of children and adults.  Other directing credits outside of SDFA include Seussical the Musical, All Shook Up!, Lucky Stiff, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Once on This Island, Bye Bye Birdie, john & jen, Songs for a New World, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (4 times!), and many one-act plays.  In total Don has directed over 75 full scale musical productions!

In addition to teaching and directing, Don continues to perform and has appeared in over 50 productions throughout the United States.