David Rothenberg (Activist)
| David Rothenberg | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 19, 1933 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Theatrical Agent and producer, Radio Host, Prisoners' Rights Activist |
| Years active | 1960–2016 |
| Known for | Prisoners' Rights Activist, Broadway Producer, Civil Rights Activist, Radio Host |
| Notable work | Fortune in my Eyes, Fortune Society |
David Rothenberg is a veteran Broadway producer and prisoners' rights activist. After reading the script for Fortune and Men's Eyes by former prisoner and playwright John Herbert, he was instrumental in producing the play for an off-Broadway production. Later, he was a civilian observer during the Attica Prison riot which left a deep impression on him and spurred his lifelong activism for prisoner's rights. This inspired him to found the Fortune Society organization that seeks to advocate for prisoner's rights and works with former inmates to aid them in adjusting to life after prison. David Rothenberg is an agnostic and lives on the Upper West Side of New York, NY.
David Rothenberg was born in Teaneck, New Jersey to parents Leo and Leonore Rothenberg. His parents were both born in New York City. He went to Teaneck High School. His childhood dream was to pursue sportswriting. His parents were the first Jewish family in northern New Jersey, while one of his grandmothers converted to become a devout Christian Scientist. He attended the University of Denver, where he was part of the Freshman Honor Society. He later became campus president of Students for Democratic Action. His first political hero was Jackie Robinson. Building on his dream to pursue writing he became the editorial-page columnist for the undergraduate newspaper, Clarion. Eventually, Rothenberg became editor in chief in the student academic years '54 and '55 even though a petition was circulated alleging he was a communist, likely as a result of his participation in social and political protests. While at the paper, he exposed the rape of fraternity boys at the university by Francis Van Derbur, the father of former Miss Colorado and Miss America, Marilyn Van Derbur who exposed her father's sexual abuse decades later. This story was suppressed by Francis Van Derbur due to his high standing in the business community and his position on the Alumni Association at the university
Rothenberg arrived in NYC in 1958 after release from the US Army. He was inspired to pursue acting after seeing Joseph Mankiewicz's dialogue in the movie All About Eve. Initially, he worked with ad agencies and book publishers as a typist to make ends meet while simultaneously sending out introduction letters to theatrical producers, agents and press agents listed in the Manhattan directory. He also answered ads listed in the New York Times related to show business. Rothenberg was eventually hired by Bob Larken to cover interviews with actors, directors and producers by TV and radio stations. Through his press coverage of the hit musical Jamaica he met Alvin Ailey. Their acquaintance grew into a friendship and through it Rothenberg was invited to various rehearsals that helped him grow his professional network. As a result, he attained a theatrical apprenticeship with the help of Bob Ullman, who sponsored him for it with ATPAM and arranged a summer job for him as a press rep. Rothenberg spent the summer of 1960 at Lakewood Theatre in Skowhega, Maine. The theatre saw the likes of Joan Fontaine, Shirley Booth and Henry Morgan perform there and gave Rothenberg great access and networking opportunities. In 1962, David Rothenberg joined Alex Cohen's office continuing as a press rep. This position allowed him access to the pantheon of American theatre. Through his work he met and befriended titans of American theatre such as Sir John Gielgud, Richard Burton, Alfred Drake, Charles Boyer, Sir Ralph Richardson, and Elizabeth Taylor. Rothenberg was Taylor's date to the opening of Hamlet on Broadway, for which he did press. His first Broadway production was Beyond The Fringe, which emerged to be one of the biggest hits of the decade. It ran for 3 years and many of the cast went on to have distinguished careers. Notably, the production opened at the Golden Theatre on the first day of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his success, Rothenberg began representing plays by Pulitzer Prize winning playwrights Edward Albee, Tennessee Williams and England's Harold Printer, as well as more than 200 Broadway shows over the course of his career. In 1966 Rothenberg was invited by Jordan Charney and Nancy Cooperstein to workshop Megan Terry's Viet Rock, which gave him the opportunity to participate in escalating antiwar protests. Viet Rock was staged at the Sheridan Square Playhouse. By the time Viet Rock opened in New York, Rothenberg had already began working with Fortune and Men's Eyes, his second standalone production.
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