David Melville
David Melville is an experienced, all-around theater professional. Trained at London's Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, David has appeared in London, Moscow, and New York. He met his wife while both were in a Broadway production of "Hamlet" with Ralph Fiennes and they co-founded the Independent Shakespeare Co. (ISC) in 1998. ISC began in New York, has toured Europe, and has settled in Los Angeles bringing free, quality classical theater for ten years with Shakespeare in the Park and newer, nuanced productions through the Independent Studio.
As Managing Director of ISC, David makes the magic happen. He oversees the finances and operations of the company, ensuring its stability and growth. He works with the city of Los Angeles and its myriad agencies to launch the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival every summer and coordinate the many permits and paperwork involved in providing the community with free theater. He leads the technical crew and manages the yearly design and construction of a festival stage that can host three productions in repertory.
Creatively, David is an accomplished actor, composer, playwright, and director. His ISC credits include the title roles in "Hamlet," "Macbeth," "Henry V," "Richard II" as well as Benedick, Leontes, Iago, Sir Toby, and a musically-inclined Dr. Pinch (with the Pinchtones). He directed "Henry V" and "Macbeth." He has appeared in numerous films, including "Ironclad," "The Understudy," and "Perfection." He was the host and co-creator of the Travel Channel series, "Lawrence Of America." He is also an accomplished musician, and his compositions for Shakespeare plays have been released as an album, "The Cuckoo And The Owl."
David values artistic freedom, challenges and community. He composed the music and co-wrote the book and lyrics for the original musical "Red Barn" and is starting a second work. He teaches theater classes both in studio and at local schools. He enjoys working with a company and co-leads a creative space where all members' input is valued.
