actor / director / designer / storyteller
DAVID L. YEN
David L. Yen © All rights reserved.
wait until dark
(harry roat)
Ross Valley Players
an unexpected party...
(an update on the performing arts--and life--from david)
11/14/25- 12/14/25
We hear it often: Take Care of Yourself.
I have prided myself over the last several decades in being known, not only as a hardworking theater professional, but also as a warm, giving, morally upstanding one. Something happened to me in the autumn of 2024 that I will not go into detail here. But it changed me, hurt me deeply. I had all the classic grief responses--shock, anger, bargaining, denial--but didn't realize how deeply that event cut me. In the spring of 2025, I had the opportunity to work on a show that should have been an incredible experience. But those hurts from the previous year, still unhealed, came rushing back. I found myself responding to the normal dynamic process of rehearsal in a very abnormal way (for me, at least). The experience was somewhat surreal: I could see myself not being giving, understanding, or open. But I couldn't seem to stop the avalanche from happening. At the conclusion of that run, I made the decision to step back from theater. I did not like the person I had become, and desired deeply to never subject anyone else (including myself) to that version of me.
Time passed. I didn't even look at season announcements for a while, convinced I was done. I did some healing work. I did a little fight choreography for a local high school program. I looked at some seasons eventually, flirting with the thought of getting back up there. But catching myself, I vowed: I'm not going to do theater just because. It has to be special, meaningful, and worth taking the risk for. I saw a couple of titles that interested me, flirted with the idea of auditioning again, and decided to take another breath. I was trying to do what I knew I'd tell someone else in my position to do: Take Care of Yourself.
A friend texted me a couple of months ago. He told me he was directing a show, asked if I would I like to come to callbacks. He mentioned a couple of iconic character names: Sheriff of Nottingham. Prince John. I asked if he could email the script to me--he did. I laughed out loud multiple times reading it. One character--Friar Tuck--called to me in particular, and I asked if I could read for that one, as well, to which he agreed.
I have never particularly liked auditions--too much of my Self on display, never knowing if it's me or my product that didn't get the attention I wanted. Callbacks, on the other hand, are one of my favorite things on the whole planet. I never feel pressured at callbacks--they are a free acting class, as far as I'm concerned. You get a finite amount of time to try something very focused, with a small handful of other quality actors and (hopefully) a director who will then ask you to 'try it again, but...' My only goal is to have fun (which I always do) and to make it hard for them to not cast me (which I'd like to think I do, but who knows?). I always feel energized after a callback. This one was no different, and it gave me the spark of joy I had long missed.
As it so happened, I got the part. During the process of creating this ensemble-based, humor-soaked, humanity and hope-loving story my love for this art form has been reinvigorated. I've been on a few other callbacks as well, some of which resulted in offers and some of which haven't. But the need to tell stories is great within me, and being back in the saddle feels good. Not elated, puppy-love good, but good like your favorite ride at the theme park. Thrilling, fun, dynamic, but still comfortable and familiar.
Thank you for all your support, through good times and bad. Take Care of Yourself.
In this tense and gripping thriller,
set in 1944 Greenwich Village, a recently blinded woman named Susan Hendrix becomes the target of three con men searching for a mysterious doll filled with illicit goods. Unaware of the doll’s true value, Susan is drawn into a dangerous game of deception and survival. As the criminals’ plot unravels and the stakes rise, Susan must rely on her wits—and her heightened other senses—to turn the tables on her attackers. Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of Frederick Knott’s classic play brings a darker, more psychologically driven edge to the suspenseful tale.
information page
Packed with thrills,
romance, laughter, and
iconic characters like Little John, Friar Tuck, and
Maid Marian, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood tells the enduring story of the legendary outlaw who takes on the ruthless powers that be. A swashbuckling, action-packed theatrical experience you won’t want to miss!
information page
9/12/25- 9/28/25
SHERwood: the
adventures of robin hood
(friar tuck)
Cinnabar Theater
45th annual
bay area theatre
critics circle award
winner:
FEATURED PERFORMANCE - MUSICAL
in a house with more than 300 seats
URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL
("OFFICER LOCKSTOCK")
Spreckels Theatre Company
ENTIRE PRODUCTION - NORTH BAY
GALATEA
Spreckels Theatre Company
ENTIRE PRODUCTION -
entire BAY area
GALATEA
Spreckels Theatre Company