BIO

Based in New York City, Mr. Courtney staged a re-envisioned production of Fiddler On The Roof (which closed in Tel Aviv on January 27, 2016 after a nearly 8 year run) as the official production for the 60th Anniversary of Israel, for which he won the Israeli National Theatre (TONY equivalent) Award. In NYC, he directed the workshop premiere of HURRICANE ETHEL, a show he wrote about the life, times and music of legendary Ethel Waters. He directed the off-Broadway premiere of Civil War Voices (6 MITF Awards). He has been the director/choreographer of over 150 stage productions including Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby (Los Angeles Drama Critics and DramaLogue Awards for Direction and Choreography), Can-Can with Leslie Uggams, the regional premiere of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, the world premieres of Red Hot Mama, Beggar’s Holiday, The Beethovens, and 15 original music revues which he co-created. Regional productions include Little Shop of Horrors, The Last Five Years, Sophisticated Ladies, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (most recently with American Idol Finalist Melinda Doolittle), The All Night Strut, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Das Barbecu, Singin’ In The Rain, Beehive, George M!, Music Man, Annie Get Your Gun, Paper Moon, A Funny Thing Happen On The Way To The Forum, It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues, The World Goes 'Round, Hello Dolly!, West Side Story, Cinderella, Oliver, Showboat, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, Paint Your Wagon, Lucky Stiff, A Grand Night For Singing, and Cabaret. Mr. Courtney has conceived and staged special events and award shows, working with such performers as Bette Midler, Celine Dion, Quincy Jones, Warren Beatty, The Bacon Brothers, and David Letterman. On television, Mr. Courtney directed the 5th season opener of TV’s “Perfect Strangers”. Dennis’ performing career has included Broadway, TV and concerts. He appeared on Broadway/on tour in Starlight Express, Joseph…, Peter Pan with Sandy Duncan, Roza with Georgia Brown, The Fantasticks, Grease with Andrea McArdle and regionally in many other shows. Mr. Courtney is a former champion figure skater and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Screen Actors’ Guild and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. He regularly teaches Master Classes in NYC and at universities across America as well as private audition coaching.