David Lee-Painter earned a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from Illinois State University and has been a Professor of Theatre at the University of Idaho since 1995, specializing in acting and directing. David has worked professionally at the Idaho, Miami and Illinois Shakespeare Festivals; Idaho Repertory Theatre; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Idaho Theatre for Youth; Three Tall Women; Bellingham Theatre Works; Moscow Art Theatre Too; Mt. Baker Theatre, and the American Stage Company in St. Petersburg, Florida, among others.

His production of Moby Dick represented North America at the 1996 ASSITEJ World Congress in Rostov on Don Russia.

Favorite IRT/UI productions include: “This Random World,” “A Christmas Carol,” “The Good Person of Szechuan,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Chaps!,” “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” “Pirates of Penzance,” “Into the Woods,” “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” “Angels in America” and IRT's first “Forever Plaid.”

David spent the spring of 2018 as a guest director and visiting professor at the University of Iowa, directing A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Lee-Painter is also the past National Chair of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

David's favorite role is sharing life with his darlin’ wife and very best friend Achali/Nancy, three furry critters, two inspiring grown-up daughters and their amazing fellas and teaching passionate and curious students. Truly it is a wonderful life!

• Acting
• Directing
• Stage Management

2019

• Bellingham Theatre Works/Fairhaven Summer Repertory Theatre
  • The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl

University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, 1995- present

• "A Christmas Carol," 2016 (with Daniel Haley), 2015, 2014, 2013
• "Anton in Show Business," 2012
• "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," 2012
• "The Good Person of Szechuan," 2011
• "Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout," 2010
  
• “Die Fledermaus,” 2009
• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” 2007
• “Oklahoma!,” 2007
• “The Corps of Discovery, (Northwest Premiere),” 2005
• “The Macbeth Project – B.F.A.,” 2005
• “The Macbeth Project – M.F.A.,” 2005
• “The Pirates of Penzance,” 2004

Idaho Repertory Theatre, Moscow, Idaho, 1994-2014

• “The Lion in Winter,” (staged reading) 2014
• “A Christmas Carol,” 2013
• “Chaps!” 2009
• “The Nerd,” 2008
• “Grace and Glorie,” 2006
• “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” 2005
• “Same Time Next Year,” 2004

The John F. Kennedy Center – Short Play Festival 2009

• “We’ll Always Have Paris”

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival:

• Adjudicator, National Awards, 2008-2016
• National Chair, 2016-2017
• National Chair, 2014-2015
• National Member at Large, 2007-2010
• National Directing Coordinator, 2007-2010
• National Selection Team, 2008
• National Chair of Chairs, KCACTF, 2006
• Executive Board, KCACTF, 2006-2016
• Regional Chair, KCACTF, 2005-2007
• National Committee, KCACTF, 2003-2016
• Regional Vice Chair, KCACTF, 2003-2005
• Festival Host/Coordinator, KCACTF, 2004
• Festival Host/Coordinator, KCACTF, 1999
• Production Respondent, KCACTF, 1996-present
  • University of Alaska, Anchorage, University of Colorado, Denver, Boise State University, Lewis-Clark State College, North Idaho College, Eastern Oregon University, Linfield College, Portland Community College, University of Portland, Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon, Bellevue Community College, Central Washington University, Columbia Basin College, Gonzaga University, Spokane Falls Community College, Walla Walla Community College, Washington State University, Western Washington University, Yakima Valley Community College, University of Wyoming, Illinois State University, University of Central Florida, University of Evansville, Clemson University, Palm Beach Community College.
• Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finals Judge, KCACTF Region IV - 2005-06, Region III - 2008, Regions V & VIII - 2009
• Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semi-Finals Judge, KCACTF Regions IV & VI - 2005-06, Region V - 2008

Proud faculty adviser for Alternate Service Break 2009 – Sabine Pass, Texas

• University of Idaho Excellence in Teaching Award, 2013
• Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Gold Medallion, 2009
• Horace Robinson Award Recipient, Northwest Drama Conference, 2007
• “Administrative Fellow,” College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, 2006-2007
• “Inaugural Humanities Fellow,” College of Letters and Science, University of Idaho, 1997-99
• “North American Representative” to ASSITEJ World Congress in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Director, “Moby Dick,” 1996
• “North American Representative” to International Conference in Halle, Germany, “Moby Dick,” 1996
• Host for National Endowment for the Arts Chairwoman, Jane Alexander, Boise, Idaho (ITY), 1995
• “Governor’s Award Recipient” for Excellence in the Arts (Idaho Theatre for Youth), 1994
• Nomination for Idaho Citizen of the Year, Idaho Statesman, 1994
• John F. Kennedy Center Resident Performance, Imagination Celebration, Director, “Commedia de Lazzi,” 1992
• Best Actor – Tampa – St. Petersburg, “Bradenton Sun-Times,” 1985