Bio

David R. Gammons is a director, designer, visual artist, and theatre educator.

Recent directing projects include the Boston premieres of Red and Blackbird at SpeakEasy Stage Company; Doctor Faustus at the Modern Theatre; the world premieres of The Farm by Walt McGough and The Salt Girl by John Kuntz at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre; The Hotel Nepenthe, The Duchess of Malfi, and Titus Andronicus (2007 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director) for Actors’ Shakespeare Project; the New England premieres of Cherry Docs, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and My Name is Rachel Corrie at The New Repertory Theatre; Adrienne Kennedy’s Funnyhouse of a Negro with Brandeis Theatre Company, and The Winter’s Tale as part of the Shakespeare Exploded Festival at the American Repertory Theatre. Other recent directing credits include Eric Bogosian’s subUrbia at MIT; Romeo and Juliet at The Boston Conservatory; and a revival of Arthur Kopit’s Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feelin’ So Sad as the inaugural production at Harvard University’s New College Theatre. Mr. Gammons’ recent directing projects have been nominated for thirteen Elliot Norton Awards and fourteen Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards.

Mr. Gammons is a graduate of the Directing Program of the American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University, where he directed productions of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Marlowe’s Edward II, Artaud’s The Cenci, Genet’s The Balcony, and Pinter’s Party Time and The New World Order. While a directing student, he assisted on A.R.T. productions directed by JoAnne Akalaitis, Ron Daniels, Robert Scanlan, and David Wheeler.

He was the founder and artistic coordinator of Philadelphia's No More Masterpieces, a performance collective dedicated to generating original dance-theatre work, and conceived and directed their world-premiere productions Spanking the Maid, A Crying of Bones, and Heaven’s Sake. Other original dance-theatre works he has created include Teen Tragedy Trilogy for Headlong Dance Theatre (winner of a 1999 Bessie Award for Outstanding Choreography as part of St*r W*rs and Other Stories), A Winter's Tale for Pig Iron Theatre Company, Raising Rapunzel for Phantom Theatre, and Exquisite Corpses for Lorraine Chapman: The Company.

Stage designs for the American Repertory Theatre include Robert Woodruff’s production of Richard II, Robert Scanlan’s production of Beckett Trio: Eh Joe, Ghost Trio, and Nacht und Tråume (which toured to Strasbourg, France), and Spencer/Colton’s original dance work Winter Circus. Other Boston area designs include King Lear, Titus Andronicus, The Tempest, and The Duchess of Malfi for Actors’ Shakespeare Project; and designs for SpeakEasy Stage, Coyote Theatre, and Theatre Offensive among many others. Mr. Gammons has designed numerous sets and costumes for productions at the A.R.T. Institute for Advanced Theatre Training, Suffolk University, Philadelphia’s Headlong Dance Theatre, Pig Iron Theatre Company, and Concord Academy.

Mr. Gammons has served as the Director of the Theatre Program at Concord Academy for the last ten years, where he has taught courses in acting, directing, playwriting, and design, and directs a company of performers devoted to developing original experimental work for the stage. At Concord he has directed plays by Sophocles, Shakespeare, Chekhov, Pirandello, Brecht, and Suzan-Lori Parks, and has conceived and directed the world-premiere productions 3SisTerZ, Beauty Sleeping, Sea of Troubles, LHOOQ, When I look up to the sky I get a scary feeling, Tyger/Tiger, Double Negative, (Her) House, Howl, and Permanent Fatal Errors. He has delivered guest lectures on the craft of drama at Harvard University, Emerson College, Brandeis University, and Suffolk University, and taught Continuing Education courses at the Arden Theater in Philadelphia.

Mr. Gammons is a graduate of Harvard University with a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies, and studied sculpture, painting, and photography with Ritsuko Taho, Nan Freedman, Rosamund Purcell, and Christopher James. At Harvard he was awarded the 1992 Peter Sellars Director’s Prize. As an undergraduate, he is best remembered for his production of Antonin Artaud’s Jet of Blood, in which the audience was suspended on swings amidst the action.

Awards and Honors

2011
Elliot Norton Award Nomination for Outstanding Director: The Hotel Nepenthe, Actors’ Shakespeare Project
BroadwayWorld Boston Award Nomination for Best Direction of a Play: The Hotel Nepenthe, Actors’ Shakespeare Project
BroadwayWorld Boston Award Nomination for Best Direction of a Play: The Farm, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre
2010
Broadway World Boston Award Nomination for Best Direction of a Play: Cherry Docs, New Repertory Theatre
2009
Elliot Norton Award Nomination for Outstanding Director: Blackbird, SpeakEasy Stage Company
Elliot Norton Award Nomination for Outstanding Director: The Duchess of Malfi, Actors' Shakespeare Project
Elliot Norton Award Nomination for Outstanding Scenic Designer: The Duchess of Malfi
Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Award Nomination for Best Set Design: The Duchess of Malfi
2007
Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director Titus Andronicus, Actors’ Shakespeare Project
1999
Bessie Award for Outstanding Choreography: Teen Tragedy Trilogy as part of St*r W*rs and Other Stories, Headlong Dance Theatre
1992
Peter Sellars Director’s Prize; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Resumés

Theatre Director

Download Direction Resumé [PDF]

Speakeasy Stage Company
Boston, Massacusetts

2012
Red, by John Logan.
2009
Blackbird, by David Harrower.

Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Boston, Massachusetts

2011
The Hotel Nepenthe, by John Kuntz.
2009
The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster.
2007
Titus Andronicus, by William Shakespeare.

The New Repertory Theatre
Watertown, Massachusetts

2010
Cherry Docs, by David Gow.
2008
The Lieutenant of Inishmore, by Martin McDonagh.
My Name is Rachel Corrie, edited by Alan Rickman and Katherine Viner from the writings of Rachel Corrie.

Brandeis Theatre Company
Waltham, Massachusetts

2010
Funnyhouse of a Negro, by Adrienne Kennedy.

Boston Playwrights' Theatre
Boston, Massachusetts

2009
The Salt Girl, by John Kuntz.

Concord Academy
Concord, Massachusetts
Director of the Theatre Program 2000 - Present

2011
FLUX, original work, inspired by the Fluxus art movement.
2010
Permanent Fatal Errors, original work, based on found letters and e-mails.
2009
Howl, original work, inspired by the poem by Allen Ginsberg.
2008
(Her) House, original work, inspired by Sophocles’ Electra.
2007
Double Negative, original work, inspired by the film “Un Chien Andalou.”
2006
The America Play, by Suzan-Lori Parks.
The Seagull, by Anton Chekhov.
Tyger/Tiger, original work, inspired by the life and work of Tennessee Williams.
2005
UBU ‘77, original musical, based on Ubu Roi, by Alfred Jarry.
When I look up to the sky I get a scary feeling, original work.
2004
Six Characters in Search of an Author, by Luigi Pirandello.
LHOOQ, original work, inspired by the life and art of Marcel Duchamp.
Antigone, by Sophocles.
2003
Sea of Troubles, original work, inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
2002
Heart’s Desire Hotel, by Georges Feydeau.
Beauty Sleeping, original work, inspired by the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.
A Man’s A Man, by Bertolt Brecht.
2001
The Skin of Our Teeth, by Thornton Wilder.
3SisTerZ, original work, inspired by The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov.
The Laramie Project, by Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project.
2000
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts

2008
subUrbia, by Eric Bogosian.

The Boston Conservatory
Boston, Massachusetts

2007
Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare.

Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

2007
Oh Dad, Poor Dad… by Arthur Kopit. Inaugural production of the New College Theatre.
Guest Artist of The Harvard Office of the Arts.

Lorraine Chapman, the Company
Boston, Massachusetts

2004
Exquisite Corpses, original work conceived, directed, and choreographed with Lorraine Chapman.

No More Masterpieces
Founder and Artistic Coordinator 1997 - Present

2000
Heaven’s Sake, original work conceived, directed, and choreographed.
1999
A Crying of Bones, original work conceived, directed, and choreographed. Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
1997
Spanking the Maid, conceived, directed, and choreographed, based on the novel by Robert Coover.

University of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2000
Conference of the Birds, by Peter Brook. Directed with Aaron Posner.

Pig Iron Theatre Company
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1999
A Winter’s Tale, conceived, directed, and choreographed, based on the play by William Shakespeare.

Headlong Dance Theater
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1998
Teen Tragedy Trilogy, conceived, directed, and choreographed in collaboration with Headlong Dance Theater.

Phantom Theater Company
Warren, Vermont

1997
Raising Rapunzel, original work conceived, directed, and choreographed with Annie Elias.

Harvard Summer Theatre
Cambridge, Massachusetts

1996
Macbeth, by William Shakespeare.

American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

2009
The Winter’s Tale, by William Shakespeare.
1995
The Balcony, by Jean Genet.
1994
Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare.
Party Time & The New World Order, by Harold Pinter.
Edward the Second, by Christopher Marlowe.
1993
Oh Dad, Poor Dad…, by Arthur Kopit.
The Cenci, by Antonin Artaud.
1995
As Assistant Director
Running in the Family, by Michael Ondaatje. Adapted and directed by JoAnne Akalaitis.
1994
As Assistant Director
Winter Circus, conceived, directed, and choreographed by Amy Spencer and Richard Colton.

American Repertory Theatre
Cambridge, Massachusetts

As Assistant Director:
1995
Beckett Trio: Eh Joe, Ghost Trio, Nacht und Träume, by Samuel Beckett. Directed by Robert Scanlan.
Tour to Journées Beckett Theatre Festival, Strasbourg, France, 1996.
The Threepenny Opera, by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by Ron Daniels.
1994
An Evening of Beckett: Krapp’s Last Tape, A Piece of Monologue, Ohio Impromptu, by Samuel Beckett. Directed by Robert Scanlan.
Picasso at the Lapin Agile, by Steve Martin. Directed by David Wheeler.
1993
Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2, by William Shakespeare. Directed by Ron Daniels.

Education

American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University,
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Certificate in Directing (Masters Equivalent), 1995.

Harvard University,
Cambridge, Massachusetts
A.B. magna cum laude in Visual and Environmental Studies, 1992. Peter Sellars Director’s Prize, 1992.

Training

  • Directing: Ron Daniels, Robert Scanlan, David Wheeler.
  • Acting: Alvin Epstein, Jeremy Geidt, François Rochaix, Jane Nichols, Thomas Derrah.
  • Dance and Movement: Richard Colton, Amy Spencer.
  • Playwriting: Adrienne Kennedy, Paula Vogel.
  • Dramaturgy and Literature: Robert Brustein, Elaine Scarry, Robert Scanlan, Todd London.
  • Commedia dell Arte / Mask: Carlos Garcia, Accademia Dell Arte, Italy.

Related Skills & Professional Experience

Teaching: Director of the Theatre Program, Concord Academy, Concord, MA. 2000 – Present. Developed and implemented the Concord Academy Theatre Program Curriculum: Theatre 1; Theatre 2a: The Classics; Theatre 2b: The Twentieth Century; Theatre 3: Company; Directors Seminar; Playwriting; Theatre Design and Technology. Produce and oversee three faculty-directed and five student-directed productions per year.

Scenic and Costume Design: Extensive professional experience detailed in separate resumé. →

Production Manager: Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia PA. 1998-2000.

Scenic & Costume Design

Download Design Resumé [PDF]

Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Boston, Massachusetts

2011
The Hotel Nepenthe, by John Kuntz. Directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic and Costume Design.
2009
The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster. Directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic Design.
2008
The Tempest, by William Shakespeare. Directed by Patrick Swanson. Scenic Design.
2007
Titus Andronicus, by William Shakespeare. Directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic Design.
2005
King Lear, by William Shakespeare. Directed by Patrick Swanson. Scenic and Costume Design.

Boston Playwrights’ Theatre
Boston, Massachusetts

2009
The Salt Girl, by John Kuntz. Directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic and Costume Design.

The New Repertory Theatre
Watertown, Massachusetts

2008
My Name is Rachel Corrie. Directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic Design.

American Repertory Theatre
Cambridge, Massachusetts

2001
Richard II, by William Shakespeare. Directed by Robert Woodruff. Scenic design.
1995
Beckett Trio: Eh Joe, Ghost Trio, Nacht und Träume, by Samuel Beckett. Directed by Robert Scanlan. Scenic design. Tour to Journées Beckett Theatre Festival, Strasbourg, France, 1996.
Winter Circus, conceived, directed, and choreographed by Amy Spencer and Richard Colton. Scenic design.
1994
An Evening of Beckett: Krapp’s Last Tape, A Piece of Monologue, Ohio Impromptu, by Samuel Beckett. Directed by Robert Scanlan. Assistant designer to Lauren Bon. Scenic design.

American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

2010
Drums in the Night, by Bertolt Brecht. Directed by Robert Scanlan. Scenic Design.
2009
The Winter’s Tale, by William Shakespeare. Directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic Design.
2002
As You Desire Me, by Luigi Pirandello. Directed by Kate Whoriskey. Scenic and costume design.
2000
St. Joan of the Stockyards, by Bertolt Brecht. Directed by Leland Patton. Scenic and costume design.
1997
Best Intentions, from the novel by Ingmar Bergman. Directed by Kate Whoriskey. Scenic and costume design.
Ahab’s Wife, by Tom Sleigh. Directed and choreographed by Amy Spencer and Richard Colton. Scenic and costume design; with Ellen Driscoll.
Three Sisters, by Anton Chekov. Directed by Scott Zigler. Costume design.
1996
A Night Out, by Harold Pinter. Directed by Kate Whoriskey. Scenic design.
Richard III, by William Shakespeare. Directed by Alvin Epstein. Scenic and costume design.
The Cure at Troy, by Seamus Heaney. Directed by Leland Patton. Scenic and costume design.
Measure for Measure, by William Shakespeare. Directed by Leland Patton. Costume design.
1995
The Zeus Stories, created and choreographed by A. Spencer and R. Colton. Scenic and costume design.
‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, by John Ford. Directed by Leland Patton. Scenic and costume design.
1994
Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare. Directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic and costume design.
Edward the Second, by Christopher Marlowe. Directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic and costume design.
1993
Oh Dad, Poor Dad…, by Arthur Kopit. Directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic and costume design.

University of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2000
Conference of the Birds, by Peter Brook. Directed by David R. Gammons and Aaron Posner. Scenic design.

Headlong Dance Theater
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1999
Ulysses, choreographed by Headlong Dance Theatre. Scenic design.
1998
Teen Tragedy Trilogy, conceived and directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic, lighting, and costume design.
ST*R W*RS, choreographed by Headlong Dance Theater. Scenic design and costume co-design.

Pig Iron Theatre Company
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2000
Mission to Mercury, created by Pig Iron Theatre. Directed by Dan Rothenberg. Costume Design.
1999
Cafeteria, created by Pig Iron Theatre. Directed by Dan Rothenberg. Associate scenic design with J. Sugg.

Milagro Theatre Company
New York, New York

1997
The Exterminator, by Robert Alan Margolis. Directed by Liza Williams. Scenic and costume design.

Boston Center for the Arts
Boston, Massachusetts

1997
Dirt, by Abe Rybeck. Directed by Roland Tec. Theatre Offensive. Scenic design.
1996
The Food Chain, by Nicky Silver. Directed by Paul Daigneault. Speakeasy Stage Co. Scenic design.
Weldon Rising, by Phyllis Nagy. Directed by Steven Maler. Coyote Theatre. Scenic design.
1995
Tongues, Savage/Love, The War in Heaven, by Sam Shepard. Directed by Liza Williams. Yahoodi Productions. Scenic and costume design.
1993
Jerker, by Robert Chesley. Directed by Nicholas Deutsch. The Theatre Offensive. Scenic design.

Harvard Summer Theatre
Cambridge, Massachusetts

1996
Macbeth, by William Shakespeare. Directed by David R. Gammons. Scenic and costume design.
The Vampires, by Harry Kondoleon. Directed by José Zayas. Scenic and costume design.
1994
Largo Desolato, by Vaclav Havel. Directed by Brad Rouse. Scenic and costume design.
1992
Cloud Nine, by Caryl Churchill. Directed by Valerie Weinstein. Scenic design.

Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

1990-
1995
Raised in Captivity, Fat Men in Skirts, The Baltimore Waltz, Gynespeak V: Pink Fur Titillation, Skin and Bone, East, Jet of Blood, Zora’s Kitchen, The Anniversary, The Maids, Long Day’s Journey into Night, The Duchess of Malfi.

Concord Academy, Concord Massachusetts

1995-
Present
Chicago, Permanent Fatal Errors, Macbeth, (Her) House, The America Play, Astray, As You Like It, LHOOQ, Hooch!, Zero at the Bone, Wonderful Town, The Skin of Our Teeth, The Laramie Project, Bond, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Arabian Nights, Ghost Ladders, The Cradle Will Rock, Born Guilty, Einstein’s Dreams, Duras / Gravity & Light, The Canterbury Trail, Twelfth Night, Marat / Sade, It Is So If You Think So, Descent into Mayhem, Beauty & the Beast, Guys & Dolls.

Education

American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Certificate in Directing (Masters Equivalent), 1995.

Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
A.B. magna cum laude in Visual and Environmental Studies, 1992. Peter Sellars Director’s Prize, 1992.

Related Skills & Professional Experience

Teaching: Director of the Theatre Program, Concord Academy, Concord, MA. 2000 – Present. Developed and implemented the Concord Academy Theatre Program Curriculum: Theatre 1; Theatre 2a: The Classics; Theatre 2b: The Twentieth Century; Theatre 3: Company; Directors Seminar; Playwriting; Theatre Design and Technology. Produce and oversee three faculty-directed and five student-directed productions per year.

Professional & Educational Directing: Extensive experience detailed in a separate resumé. ←

Production Manager: Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia PA. 1998-2000.