Dan was bitten by the theatre bug in the eighth grade, when he was cast in the Palace Theatre’s teen production of Footloose, despite the fact that he fell flat on his face during the audition. Over the next few years, he became immersed in the theatre world, attempting to learn everything he could about his new found love. He performed in over thirty productions throughout high school, quickly establishing himself as a high energy dancer and quirky character actor. In 2008, he was awarded a Palace Youth Theatre Professionalism Award for his work and leadership as part of the cast of Once on This Island. Outside of the theatre, he held leadership positions in two student organizations at Pinkerton Academy: FIRST Robotics Team 241, and Pinkerton Television. Both organizations recognized Dan’s hard work his senior year; Team 241 chose him as the BAE Systems Scholarship recipient, and PTV named Dan the 2009 “Videographer of the Year.”
After high school, Dan chose to pursue a B.A. in Theatre at the University of New Hampshire. During his time there, he gained a newfound respect for working behind the scenes. He always looked for ways to make himself a versatile theatre artist, taking classes in acting, directing, dance, lighting design, stage combat, and film analysis. He performed in both department productions and student-directed shows as a member of Mask and Dagger. In his senior year, he was selected for the Technical Fellowship in the Arts with the Department of Theatre and Dance, which allowed him to gain experience working in all areas of technical theatre. He was also awarded the Elizabeth Jones, Class of 1922, Scholarship, which is given to a student that shows interest and enthusiasm in creative writing. He completed a senior project in which he wrote and directed a one-act play entitled Cheap Heat, which was met with much critical praise from both his professors and his peers. Dan graduated Cum Laude in May of 2013.
In 2014, Dan founded Cue Zero Theatre Company, a group dedicated to cultivating and showcasing new works, young directors/designers, and rising actors. The mission of Cue Zero Theatre Company is to support young talented artists on a professional level that need a venue to showcase their work. We were founded on the belief that all young, aspiring directors, designers, playwrights, and actors need support to achieve their professional goals through. We are driven to revolutionize the performing arts scene across NH by focusing on artists and audiences outside of the typical demographics. CZT has grown from a small group rehearsing in Dan’s parents’ garage to a multi-time awarding winning performance group.
Dan is a member of the Union Leader’s 40 Under Forty (Class of 2020) and a four-time Outstanding Achievement in Directing semi-finalist from the New Hampshire Theatre Awards. The NHTAs also recognized three CZT productions as semi-finalists for overall production, with Be More Chill being named a finalist for the award. Dan is a card carrying member of the International Thespian Society as director of Troupe 11200.
Dan loves sharing his passion for the arts with people of all ages, and is immensely proud of his work with the youth of New England. He currently teaches full time at the Arts Academy of New Hampshire charter high school. He successfully navigated the program through the COVID-19 pandemic to create an inviting and productive working environment. His dedication to excellence has increased participation and quality of production in the theatre department. His students are thankful for the high standards he holds them to, and have gone on to great success in and outside of arts. Previously, he served as professional advisor to Central High School’s drama club in Manchester, rebuilding the drama program. At Central, he successfully re-introduced musical theatre after a ten-year absence. Through his work, the drama club as seen participation double from both performers and technical students.
Dan is heavily involved with the greater New Hampshire theatre community. Since 2020, he has played a major role in the New Hampshire Theatre Alliance – working on redesign of the awards ballot, heading up adjudicator training, and serving Vice President of the board since 2022. He loves to see theatre of all sorts flourish in the Granite State.
In his free time, Dan enjoys reading comic books (Superman, The Flash, and Harley Quinn being his favorite characters), playing retro video games, watching professional wrestling, and writing plays. He is a big believer in giving back to the community, having accumulated over five hundred volunteer hours with organizations such as FIRST Robotics, Group Workcamps Foundation, and The Elliot Hospital. He is very proud of where he is today, and knows he couldn’t have accomplished everything without the continued love and support for his friends and family. He is very thankful for everything they have done.
