David Fox

David Fox is a Lecturer in Theatre Arts and English at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as Director of the Penn Reading Project and New Student Orientation. He holds degrees from UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television. His expertise spans modern American theatre, musical theatre, opera, and directing, with additional focus on arts criticism and performance studies. He has taught at Penn, UCLA, and USC, and developed educational programs in the arts and humanities.

• Education: UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television

Research interests include musical theatre and cinema, with a focus on Broadway, Stephen Sondheim, and transgressive performance. He has written extensively for publications like Opera Quarterly, Kurt Weill Quarterly, and Philadelphia City Paper, contributing 26 essays to the International Dictionary of Opera. His critiques and lectures have been featured by organizations such as the Philadelphia Orchestra and Los Angeles Opera.

He has directed numerous theatrical productions at Penn, including Curse of the Starving Class, Cabaret, and Elektra-Kabaret. Additionally, he designs music and sound for regional theatres like the Williamstown Theatre Festival and Long Wharf Theatre.

David is a frequent contributor to NPR’s Radio Times and co-maintains the arts blog Reclining Standards. His career also includes roles in arts administration, including opening Tower Classical Records in Los Angeles.