David Rotenberg

David Charles Rotenberg (1950 – 9 November 2023) was a Canadian author and professor emeritus of theatre studies at York University. He also founded and served as an artistic director of the Professional Actors Lab in Toronto.

Early in his career, he worked as a theatre director in New York City, directing two Broadway shows before returning to Toronto in 1987. In 1994, he directed the first Canadian play staged in the People's Republic of China. His writing career began in 1998 with the five-book Zhong Fong mystery series set in modern Shanghai and the historical fiction novel Shanghai. and started a science fiction series in 2017.

Early life and education Rotenberg was born and raised in Toronto, Rotenberg had three brothers. One of his younger brothers is Robert Rotenberg, a Canadian criminal lawyer and author. David Rotenberg graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto. He founded the Professional Actors Lab in Toronto, training actors such as Rachel McAdams and Tom Cavanagh. He also directed productions at major Canadian theatres, including the Stratford Festival and the Canadian Stage Company.

Rotenberg lived in the United States for fourteen years.

Rotenberg continued to occasionally direct plays and television in Canada and abroad. Despite cultural and language barriers, the production saw "limited" success.

Other teaching projects and screen coaching In 2000, David Rotenberg, along with David Julian Hirsh and entertainment lawyer Michael Levine, proposed a high-level actor training program to the Canadian Film Centre. Eight years later, the CFC launched a new actor's conservatory and an international co-production training program.

In 2003, Rotenberg founded the Professional Actors Lab and also taught at Equity Showcase Theatre.

Novels David Rotenberg authored twelve novels across the mystery, science fiction, and historical fiction genres, with many optioned for film and television. His experience at the Shanghai Theatre Academy inspired his first novel, The Shanghai Murders (1998), followed by four more in the series. and television (HBO). Rotenberg wrote it as three novels, but Penguin published it in one volume. It was reportedly optioned by Darius Films and by Jane McLean for television. Dundas and Keele, The Junction, Toronto, initial and final setting of The Junction Chronicles. His The Junction Chronicles series is set in Toronto's The Junction neighbourhood. The trilogy was optioned by producer Don Kurt for television. In 2021, he published ACT - The Modern Actor’s Handbook.

Projects in development In 2008, Rotenberg mentioned potential projects; a sixth Zhong Fong novel, a sequel to Shanghai, and a book about Canadian actors who studied with him. He described his writing process, noting the differences in his workspace for his different series. His teaching and directing experience informed his writing, drawing inspiration from his student and incorporating elements from his career.

Personal life Rotenberg lived in The Junction, Toronto with his wife Susan Santiago until his death in November 2023. They had two adult children, both dual citizens.