DAVID ROWEN

ABOUT

David is a Helen Hayes Award nominated actor based in the Washington, DC, area; a motivated theatre artist and musician. David was born into a military family in Wiesbaden, Germany, and as one of five Army brats, he has moved and traveled to many states and countries throughout his life. Wherever he lived, he was consistently involved in church choirs, orchestras, musicals, and piano lessons. He enjoyed the experience of learning from a variety of conductors and teachers.

 

In high school, David started a business teaching private piano lessons. Within three years, he taught 25 people piano performance, technique, ear training, and music theory. As a singer-guitarist-pianist-songwriter, David was a part of a 5-member rock band called The Story Left Untold, which performed alongside other underground rock bands in Northern VA. The band was able to garner enough attention to headline a concert -- complete with opening acts, merchandise (t-shirts and EPs), and roaring fans -- before the group disbanded and headed to college.

In pursuit of a music degree, David attended James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA, where he received a Bachelor of Music in Voice and Music Industry with a minor in Theatre. While studying at JMU, he performed as a vocalist in choirs, and he performed as an actor, music director, and/or musician in a number of musical theatre productions. He served as a pianist for the School of Theatre and Dance by accompanying voice lessons, performance classes, auditions, and rehearsals. Additionally, David served as the music director and primary music arranger of JMU's premiere co-ed a cappella group, The Overtones.

Since graduating from JMU in 2011, David has been performing at various regional and professional theatres in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area. He also works as a music director, teaching artist, and rehearsal accompanist, and he is a freelance music arranger. David specializes in a cappella arrangements and piano/vocal transcriptions, and he has arrangements featured on the 2013 Best of College A Cappella and Voices Only 2014 compilation albums. In 2013, David was distinguished with one of the highest theatre honors in Washington, DC: a Helen Hayes Award Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Resident Musical for his portrayal of Harpo in the Toby's of Columbia production of The Color Purple. In 2014, David made his Off-Broadway debut in the original cast of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds at the New Victory Theater.