Duane has had a remarkable professional career spanning over four decades, with the first twenty years being predominantly dedicated to stage performances, including a two-year stint as an opera singer. In the last twenty years, he has expanded his repertoire to include film and television.
In 1991, Duane founded The Fritz Theatre in San Diego and served as its Artistic Director for 18 years. During his tenure, the theatre produced over 200 plays, half of which were premieres. The Fritz Theatre recognized emerging voices in the theatre world and produced works by notable writers such as Brad Fraser, Nicky Silver, Maria Irene Fornes, Paula Vogel, Donald Margulies, and Suzan-Lori Parks, who would later go on to win Pulitzer Prizes.
Duane has also produced several premieres in New York and has directed at renowned theatres such as La MaMa Experimental Theatre, The Second City in Hollywood, and The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. He has directed highly acclaimed productions of HAIR, starring Sara Ramirez and Steve Gouveia, and has costarred and toured with Tony winner Alice Ripley in Oklahoma.
In addition to his work in theatre, Duane has appeared in television shows such as Veronica Mars, Big Shots, Invisible Man, Tremors, Fashion House, Terriers, Kate Brasher, and The Chronicle. He has also played a hit man and a terrorist in the feature films Fathoms Deep and First Strike, both of which are set to be released this year.
As an acting teacher, Duane is based in Los Angeles and heads the Contemporary Theatre Program at Acting Abroad Conservatory in Normandy, France. With a career that has spanned over 40 years, Duane has accumulated numerous awards and nominations, including the Drama-Logue Award, ACT Award, Patte Award, Blitz Award, and nominations for The L.A Critics Association, LA Weekly, and Garland Awards (Variety Magazine).
