Daniel D. Drake

Bitter Jester Music Festival Judge

Daniel originally attended the University of Illinois at Chicago as a Biological Sciences/Psychology major with the intention of attending medical school and becoming a physician. However, during his second year at UIC he took a risk. Throwing his potential financial stability to the wind, he decided to pursue his true passion in theatre and transferrred to Illinois State University as a Theatre Education Major. During his junior year, he discovered he enjoyed mentoring and educating high school and collegiate students and focused his studies on a post-graduate career that would allow him to do that.

Daniel completed his internship at Goodman Theatre and Lookingglass Theatre. Professionally, Daniel has worked with Lookingglass Theatre, Northwestern University, Music Theatre Works, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Haven Theatre, Step-Up Productions, Red Moon Theatre, and Red Tape Theatre in Stage Management. Daniel spent five years with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival as a member of stage management and as the Company Manager. He has had the pleasure of working with Nathan Lane, Brian Dennehy, Stephen Ouimette, Merle Dandridge, and Edward Gero, to name a few.

Daniel also spent a decade working with with Bitter Jester, starting first as a Production Manger and then as a Production Coordinator and Co-Producer of the Bitter Jester Music Festival and, later, as the Executive Director for the Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts. Stressful and exhilarating as the same time, it was a highlight of his career.

Daniel is currently the Production and Facilities Coordinator for the Theatre Conservatory at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He is the production manager for the Miller Studio Theater and the facilities coordinator for the CCPA Dance Studios. Daniel is currently earning his Master’s Degree in Performing Arts Administration from CCPA and is expected to graduate in July, 2020.

Most importantly of all, Daniel has received the “My Favorite Person Award” from his girlfriend’s’ dog, Luna, for thirteen consecutive months and hopes to continue his streak.

He brings a unique viewpoint to the judging panel with his background specializing in musical theatre and opera as well as having watched, worked with, and coordinated nearly 200 musical acts for the Bitter Jester festival. His wide range of experience, from local battles of the bands in parks to full-on musical theatre productions in the Auditorium Theater, provides a unique viewpoint to this competition geared toward the mentorship and education of young performers that Daniel is so passionate about. He is thrilled to be on the judging side of the Bitter Jester Music Fest instead of the backstage!