TUTS - Artistic Director, Dan Knechtges

DAN KNECHTGES is the Artistic Director at Theatre Under The Stars where he most recently directed the 2019 production of Elf - The Musical. He is a Tony-nominated director and choreographer working in theater, opera, concert dance, television, film and music videos.

 

When Dan started at TUTS, he wanted to return to the roots of TUTS by creating incredible musicals that were produced right here in Houston. When he programmed the shows for the musical theatre company’s 50th Anniversary Season, he did so with the intention of having a six-show season that was all self-produced. That season was one of the most successful seasons in the eyes of critics and audiences alike in recent years. Through the shows produced during that season, Dan was also able to re-establish TUTS commitment to casting a mix of local and national theatre artists creating an environment where they can nurture their craft. TUTS 50th Anniversary Season also won four Houston Press Theater Awards: Best Musical (Ragtime), Best Choreography (Stanton Welch for Oklahoma!), Best Musical Director (Marcia Milgrom Dodge for Ragtime) and Best Season. Under his leadership the artistry coming out of Houston’s home for musical theatre is thriving.

 

Dan’s many credits include Broadway: Lysistrata Jones (Direction & Choreography), Xanadu (directed by Chris Ashley, Tony nomination, Drama Desk nomination), Sondheim on Sondheim (directed by James Lapine), 110 in The Shade (starring Audra McDonald) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (directed by James Lapine). Dan also choreographed the Off-Broadway incarnation of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Second Stage, which earned him a Lucille Lortel Award nomination. Off Broadway: Tail! Spin! (starring Rachel Dratch), Clinton the musical (starring Kerry Butler & Judy Gold), Merrily We Roll Along for Encores! at City Center (directed by James Lapine), Vanities at Second Stage and Directing and Choreographing Lysistrata Jones for the Transport Group. He has many regional credits, and you can also see his Disney Jr. Dance Party show at both Disney’s California Adventure and Disney World.

 

Dan holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Otterbein College in Westerville, OH and hails from Cleveland, OH. He also serves on the board of the Stage Directors & Choreographers Society and is a trustee with the Society’s foundation which develops and promotes the craft of Directing and Choreographing. He is a member of Lincoln Center Director’s Lab.