Stage Director Daniel Ellis appointed to new faculty position as Academic Professional in Opera and Theatre

Stage Director Daniel Ellis will join the University of Georgia faculty as an Academic Professional in Opera and Theatre, in a collaborative role with the Hugh Hodgson School of Music and UGA Department of Theatre and Film Studies. He will be involved with producing events for our UGA Opera Theatre, as well as assisting with musicals and productions in theatre. He comes to UGA with many years of international stage directing experience, and is the recipient of numerous national awards.

“I am looking forward to bringing a professional experience into the education process creating a collaborative laboratory where students can “dare to fail” as we learn to adapt our storytelling in new and exciting ways,” said Ellis.

Mr. Ellis continues to garner wide attention for developing new work with renowned artists while bringing innovative and imaginative theater and opera to diverse audiences. Daniel made his European debut in 2016 directing the third revival of Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade’s production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte at the Komische Oper in Berlin and has subsequently directed the Cincinnati Opera (2017) and Opera Philadelphia’s Inaugural “O” Festival (2017) revivals of the production. Mr. Ellis was honored to direct the European debut of Sir David McVicar’s production of Wozzeck at the Grand Théâtre de Genève in Geneva, Switzerland (2017) and again for the Finnish National Opera (2019).

“Daniel is going to be a great asset to the musical theatre certificate,” said Dr. Pete Jutras, Director of the Hodgson School.

In addition to opera, Daniel works extensively in theatre and musical theatre, highlighting voices that are rarely heard bringing stories that challenging all to listen and engage others around them. He has had the pleasure of working on over 10 world premieres and has an extensive list of awards including the 2021 Opera America’s Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Prize for the production of Donizetti/Romani’s L’elisir d’amore.

"The UGA Opera Theatre is very pleased to welcome Daniel Ellis as the new Producer, Stage Director and Acting Instructor for the Opera Department in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music and as a Stage Director for the Musical Theater division of the Theater and Film Studies Department. He will bring a great energy and imagination for developing and expanding our programs for the future and to advance our students' training toward professional careers,” said Professor Frederick Burchinal, the Wyatt and Margaret Anderson Professor of the Arts and Director of Opera.