Daniel Ellis

Stage Director, Daniel Ellis, continues to garner wide attention for developing new work with renowned artists while bringing innovative and imaginative theater and opera to diverse audiences. Daniel made his European debut in 2016 directing the third revival of Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade’s production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte at the Komische Oper in Berlin and has subsequently directed the Cincinnati Opera (2017) and Opera Philadelphia’s Inaugural “O” Festival (2017) revivals of the production. Mr. Ellis was honored to direct the European debut of Sir David McVicar’s production of Wozzeck at the Grand Théâtre de Genève in Geneva, Switzerland (2017) and again for the Finnish National Opera (2019).  He will be directing a new production of L'elisir d'amore as a part of Minnesota Opera's upcoming 2023-2024 season.  

In addition to opera, Daniel works extensively in theatre and musical theatre, highlighting voices that are rarely heard bringing stories that challenging all to listen and engage others around them.  In 2019, he was praised for his “sensitive, intuitive and astutely intelligent direction” of The Elephant Man for Williams Street Repertory and has had the pleasure of working on over 10 world premieres.  Most recently, Daniel directed the short film, Heart of Stone, which will preimere at the 2023 L. A. Queer Film Festival and 2023 Cinema Diverse Film Festival (Palm Springs).  

Awards include: 2021 recipient of Opera America’s Robert L. B. Tobin Director-Designer Prize (L’elisir d’amore); 2nd place honor in the 2015 American Prize in Directing Competition (The Beaux’ Stratagem, Minneapolis, MN); 3rd Place award in the 2014 American Prize in Directing (Griffelkin, Minnesota Opera’s Project Opera). He is an alumnus of Minnesota Opera Residence Artist Program, an associate member of the Stage Director and Choreographers Society (SDC), and a member of AGMA.