The Williamstown Theatre Festival started its 60th season with George Kaufman’s play, June Moon, starring none other than Williams College alumnus David Turner ’97. Turner graduated with a double major in English and music and has gone on to a robust career in the world of theatre. This is now his 7th season with the Williamstown Theater Festival, his first speaking role coming in 1999 in As You Like It (starring Gwyneth Paltrow).
Williams helped Turner realize his idea of a full-length musical for a thesis his senior year. He then wrote and orchestrated it himself in the ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance. At Williams, he was musical director for the Springstreeters, an a capella group, as well as artistic director for Cap n’ Bells, the student-led theater group on campus.
While still a student, Turner pursued his dream of being a professional actor. He credits several key teachers in his youth for encouraging him to follow his passion. But he had a range of interests and learning about astronomy, psychology, geology, and art history were a part of his Williams education. He says his varied education made him more than just someone who knows acting and allowed him to make informed decisions outside of his job.
Outside of acting, Turner has found new avenues for success and fulfillment. He enjoys aviation and is an instrument-rated commercial pilot and even owns his own small airport in Pennsylvania.
Turner says, “a liberal arts education like the one Williams provided me is the best any actor can get because in the end, plays are much more than just acting.”