
M.F.A. University of California, San Diego
B.S. Central Michigan University
Most recently directed "Episode 26" (Spring '18) and "End Days" (Spring '17) at NEIU and reprised the role of Dave in "Lounging" at the Filament Theatre in Chicago (Summer '16).
Dan Wirth toured throughout the United States with The Acting Company. In New York City, he performed at the Public Theatre, the Harold Clurman Theatre, the 18th Street Playhouse, the Lamb’s Theatre, Playwright’s Horizons, The American Place Theatre, and the Actor’s and Director’s Lab (AKA the Samuel Beckett Theatre.) In Europe, he performed at the Edinburgh International Theatre Festival and at the Donmar Warehouse in London. Regionally, he appeared at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and the Utah and Oregon Shakespeare Festivals. He performed in plays directed by Alan Schneider, Joseph Papp, Michael Langham, Liviu Ciulei, Garland Wright, Jerry Turner, and Sharon Ott, and appeared on-stage with James Cromwell, J. T. Walsh, Jimmy Smits, Jamey Sheridan, Bob Gunton, Diane Venora, Kathleen Widdoes, David Warrilow, Alvin Epstein, Leigh Taylor-Young, Margaret Reed, Howard Korder, Wayne Knight, and Jeff Daniels. In Chicago, Dan most recently appeared in "Lounging" at both the Raven Theatre and the Filament Theatre. He was a Chicago Cub in the film "Rookie of the Year." Dan has directed for seven Chicago area theatre companies, most recently directing "The Merry Wives of Windsor" for Fury Theatre.
An award winning playwright, Dan’s play "Used Carlotta" won new play contests at the Source Theatre in Washington, D.C. and the New American Comedy Festival in Ukiah, California, and was produced each time. It was also a finalist in the National Playwrights Conference at the O'Neill Theater Center. His play "Urban Renovator Blues" was chosen by The Cleveland Public Theatre as part of their Eighth Festival of New Plays. In Chicago, his production of the play was featured at Cabaret Voltaire. His 10-minute play "Smell the Coffee" was featured at Chicago Dramatists and "Shed" was featured in NEIU’s recent Nuevas Voces Play Festival. Dan is also a published poet and a filmmaker.
At NEIU he has directed 15 main stage plays, four Children’s Theatre productions, and eight Summer Transition Program Drama Workshops. He appeared on stage here as a very large Lady Bracknell in "The Importance of Being Earnest." He has also taught theatre and communication courses at Dominican University, Harper College, Daley College, Barat College, Lake Forest College, Wright College and Oakton Community College. He has an M.F.A. from The University of California, San Diego, and a B.S. from Central Michigan University.
Room FA 230
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States
Friday: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Zoom)