Daniel Lee White - Comedy & Farce Director | Arts Educator

Daniel Lee White (he/him) is an award-winning director, performer, writer, and arts educator with over 25 years of experience in theatre and film. His primary focus is on creating accessible approaches to comedy and farce for a variety of audiences.

His numerous theatrical directing credits include Run for Your Wife, One Slight Hitch, and Boeing, Boeing. He regularly directs at the Newport Playhouse, and has experience directing in person throughout the country and online.

He is the founder, and currently serves as the Artistic Director, of Bring Your Own Improv – an award-winning audience participation improv comedy show that began in 2008.

His writing credits include the feature film Cost of the Living and A Christmas for Carol – a holiday farce that premiered on stage in 2022.

From 2014 to 2020, Daniel served as the Theatre Artist in Residence at the Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts. Since 2011, he has been registered as a Teaching Artist with the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. He also regularly teaches workshops for schools, youth groups, conferences, colleges and universities, and corporations on theatre, improv, acting and filmmaking.

Daniel earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Theatrical Directing from the University of Idaho and his Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Franklin Pierce University.

Run For Your Wife – Director
September 8th – October 27th, 2024
Newport Playhouse

Lend Me A Soprano – Director
November 10th – December 31st, 2024
Newport Playhouse

Bring Your Own Improv – Artistic Director
Every Friday Night
Warwick Center for the Arts

Come and Play Workshops – Arts Educator
Tuesdays in October
Warwick Center for the Arts

The Foursome
April 21st – May 19th, 2024
Newport Playhouse

Miracle on South Division Street
November 8th to December 31st, 2023
Newport Playhouse

Run For Your Wife
April 12th to May 24th, 2023
Newport Playhouse

A Christmas for Carol
November 1st to December 31st, 2022
Newport Playhouse

2020 Winner for Best Event in West Bay

“Director White keeps that fun and entertainment value ratcheted up, going for quick pace and big, broad comedy. …White builds the momentum and energy steadily over the run time, heading towards the inevitable and well-staged climactic craziness. White’s cast is clearly having fun with that craziness that they’re asked to create onstage.”

“Director Daniel Lee White casts six comic performers in these roles and gives them the clever shtick to keep the audience laughing.”

2018 Winner for Best Event in West Bay

2018 Winner for Best Comedy Show

“Director Daniel Lee White casts these four comic roles beautifully and gives them each their moment to shine and some clever shtick to perform to keep the audience laughing all night long.”

2017 Winner for Best Comedy Show

2016 Winner for Best Comedy Show

2015 Winner for Best Comedy Play

2013 Winner for Best Comedy Show

“A lot more people need to see this movie!”

"…at times funny, frightening, touching or simply surreal."

"The opening minutes are incredible…"

2013 Official Selection

2012 Audience Award & Best Regional Feature

2012 Best Comedy

2012 Best Feature

2012 Official Selection

2007 Official Selection

2007 Audience Favorite & Second Runner Up

2006 Audience Favorite & Second Runner Up

Improv Instructor
2014-Present
Bring Your Own Improv, Warwick, RI

Improv Workshop Facilitator
October 2023
Catawba College, Salisbury, NC

Workshop Facilitator
February 2022
Alabama Theatre Conference, Vestavia Hills High School, Birmingham, AL

Workshop Facilitator
October 2017
Rhode Island Theatre Conference, Saint Raphael Academy, Pawtucket, RI

Theatre Artist in Residence
2014-2020
Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts, Providence, RI

"You showed me what it was like to have confidence and to believe in myself. You got me out of my comfort zone and showed me that I could do things I never thought was possible! You will always be one of my favorite teachers and one that I will always remember!"

"Your energy and motivation to work with us was inspiring and we all learned so much, which I also translated into my theatre career. You're a fantastic teacher and a great influence."

"Daniel is very knowledgeable and does a great job meeting people where they are at. His classes are tailored to the interests and skills of the people in them and his feedback is specific and helpful."

2018 Student State Shakespeare Champion

2018 Student State Poetry Out Loud Champion

"Daniel the instructor was great , he listened to us and taught us based on our levels and where we are in life."

2017 Student State Shakespeare Champion

"You showed me how cool Shakespeare actually was! And, you showed me that straight plays can be just as badass as musicals!"

2016 Student State Shakespeare Champion

"You never failed to remind me of my talent which I honestly needed. Thanks for all of the motivation!"

Official State Approved Rhode Island Teaching Artist

"You were one of the only teachers I had that believe I could actually do anything and help me boost my confidence."

"I always took your advice to us and tips to heart and pursued theater to college. I'm so grateful for you giving me the chance to learn and to express myself and be more confident. You are an amazing teacher who's changed a lot of your students lives!."

"You started my love for theatre."

A Christmas for Carol
Two-Act Comedy

Ismene
One-Act Comedy