Department of Theatre & Dance Staff

Dr. Young has been teaching at WKU since 1998. He has served as Department Chair since 2009. He holds a BFA in Theatre from Emporia State University, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Acting from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, England, and a Ph.D. in Theatre from Wayne State University in Detroit. Before teaching, David worked for ten years as a professional actor and director in Chicago and the Midwest. He has numerous professional credits and has been a member of Actors' Equity Association since 1983. At Western, he has directed 17 productions, including A Lie of the Mind, Kindertransport, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, As Bees in Honey Drown, Blood Brothers, Sweet Charity, The Real Inspector Hound, Beauty and the Beast, Much Ado About Nothing, and As You Like It. David has taught a variety of courses at WKU, including Acting I through IV, Directing I and II, Period Styles, Special Topics in Acting, University Experience, Creative Dramatics, and Stage Makeup. One of David's favorite activities is leading student travel groups to New York (and once to London). He frequently serves as a visiting evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Theatre, and he is currently serving a three-year term as Secretary of the Association. He is married and has two children. Most importantly, at least if you're a student in the department, you know you can always find free food in his office.