Steve Rothman

Steve Rothman (MFA Theatre Management, 1974 & BS Speech/Theatre Education, 1972 Alum)

Steve returned to his long time home of Los Angeles in May 2001 to begin his duties as The Chair of the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at California State University Los Angeles where he also serves as the program’s Artistic Director.

Best known by Southern California theatergoers as the founder and artistic leader of the revitalized Pasadena Playhouse, he has also served as the Artistic Director of the Sacramento Theatre Company as well as the Producing Director of Pennsylvania Center Stage.

His numerous Directing credits include Orphans and Of Mice and Men (Deaf West Theatre), Echoes and Room Service (Pasadena Playhouse), Sockdology, Stag at Bay and Greater Tuna (Asolo Theatre Company), California Schemin’, Camping With Henry and Tom, Dracula and Hometown Heroes (Sacramento Theatre Company), To Kill a Mockingbird, A Walk in the Woods and Peccadillo (Geva Theatre), The Comedy of Errors (Illinois Shakespeare Festival), Charley’s Aunt (Utah Shakespearean Festival) and God’s Man In Texas for Florida Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse In the Park, and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. He has had the privilege of directing many world premiers including Father, Son, and Holy Coach (Santa Monica Playhouse), The Scandalous Adventures of Sir Toby Trollope (San Diego Rep), Sparky and Fitz starring Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson (George Street Playhouse) and Gilligan’s Island: The Musical (Chicago’s Organic Theatre). For television, he spent two seasons directing episodes of THE NEW WKRP IN CINCINNATI.

In November 2000 he received the Carbonell Award for “Best Director” for his work on God’s Man Texas at Florida Stage. Other awards and honors include a Dramalogue award as Best Director in 1996 for Orphans at Deaf West Theatre, a 1988 Dramalogue Award for Producer for Best Musical for Mail at the Pasadena Playhouse and the prestigious Florida State University Grad made Good Award in 1984.

Having received his Masters of Fine Arts Degree as well as his Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida State University Steve has always had a commitment to a career that would combine his professional Theatre and Television work with a desire to teach new, emerging artists.