After completing his Master’s Degree in Sociology at the University of Auckland, Daniel returned to Canada, where he graduated from the studio acting program at the William Davis Centre for Actors Study, studied Clown with David McMurray Smith at Fantastic Space Enterprises, and attended Capilano College’s Arts and Entertainment Management Diploma program. Daniel co- founded Upintheair with Dave Mott in 1999. As Artistic Producer with Upintheair, Daniel has been instrumental in the creation of Wedgie, Men of the World, 120bpm, Johnny Grant, Wagabondi Ho!, Inside the Seed (which was nominated for 5 Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards in 2013/14, including Outstanding Production), The Walking Fish Festival, and the rEvolver Theatre Festival. As an actor Daniel has appeared in numerous short films, television, and commercials. On stage he has been seen most notably as Frank in Daniel McIvors' Never Swim Alone (Street Repertory Theatre), Edmund in King Lear (Firehall/Shakespeare Centre), Sophie's Dad in Carnage (Pi Theatre), Philip Lucas in David Hare's The Vertical Hour (United Players), and Carlton Berg in The North Plan (Upintheair).  Daniel is dedicated to the development of emerging artists and the nurturing of new audiences for theatre in Vancouver. He believes in continually pursuing professional development to be able to better achieve these goals, and has completed the Leaders Lab and Executive Lab programs through Vantage Point, as well as a 6-month mentorship with Norman Armour (Push Festival) and Heather Redfern (The Cultch). 

Dave is a founding member and co-Artistic Producer of Upintheair Theatre, a BFA graduate of University of Victoria, an actor, director, and creator, specializing in new play creation and physical theatre and is the co-producer of rEvolver Theatre Festival. As the co-owner of Brandywine Bartending School he is an active member of the Canadian Professional Bartending Association, a competitive cocktail maker, head instructor, and corporate team building workshop leader. Dave continually pushes the boundaries of traditional theatre and performance by allowing audiences to experience their art in new and innovative ways. Dave’s true passions are exhibited best when he is mentoring actors through his work at The William Davis Centre at VanArts, while presenting their work, and visiting other Canadian cities to view works and artists in development. Born and raised in Vancouver, he is a proud advocate and ambassador of all that the arts and culture have to offer in the city. Selected Upintheair credits: The City and The City, Inside the Seed, Guide to Mourning, Borborygmi, Wedgie, Johnny Grant, Pyropornomania, Moxie, Men of the World, & 120bpm. Other Stage and Screen: Anywhere But Here, iZombie, Supernatural, Stupid is as Stupid Does, Rearview, Escape From Happiness, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Glengarry Glen Ross, Hopscotch, Sea of Sand, & King Lear.