Duane is new to the LA theatre scene after many years and plays in other places. His most recent LA effort was Kim Porter’s MUNCHED (nominated for 5 LA Weekly Awards and 5 LADCC Awards)  with Buzzworks Theatre Company where he serves as Artistic Director. Prior to Buzzworks, he was Artistic Director at The Fritz Theatre in San Diego (91-08). During his tenure there, The Fritz produced over 200 plays, half of them premieres. The Fritz recognized emerging voices in theatre and produced works by writers such as Brad Fraser, Nicky Silver, Maria Irene Fornes and eventual Pulitzer Prize winners Paula Vogel, Donald Margulies and Suzan-Lori Parks. Duane produced several premiers in New York and directed three times at the famed La MaMa Experimental Theatre. Duane is currently a director at The Second City in Hollywood.

Also an actor, Duane is known for comedy, particularly Triple Espresso, which he has performed over 2000 times since ‘97 in extended runs in about 20 different cities in the US and Europe. As a musical performer he has had the opportunity to play the title role 3 times in Sweeney Todd (Garland Award Nomination) as well as the kinetic song and dance show Reunion (Drama-Logue Award). He also was a professional opera singer with the San Diego Opera and Cleveland Symphony Chorus and performed Gounod’s Faust, Il Trovatore and the Verdi Requiem.

Duane now lives in Los Angeles and works as an actor in tv, film, voice-over and commercials and is also an independent  film director/producer and an acting teacher. During the summer months he is head of the acting program at Acting Abroad, a conservatory in France. Film critic Michael Phillips labeled Duane “a pleasantly maniacal over-achiever.” He is managed by Redrock Entertainment Development in Burbank.

Did the worst British accent EVER at an audition today. The director looked confused. After a beat, he said: “Could you try it in a British accent?”

The audition was going well. We moved on to this argument scene. We started yelling. I felt a scratch in my throat from the yelling. I was trying hard not to cough. My eyes were getting red. Tearing. Fighting. Delaying that cough. “Not without my daughter.” I emoted, tears on my cheeks. Director: “Excellent, …..we’ll be in touch.” I nodded bravely and left.