Biography
Primarily a novelist, Wes Brustad has written for film, television and the stage as well as non-fiction. His most recent novel is AMERICAN PILGRIMAGE published by Lighthouse Publishing. He has developed several projects for the theatre, film and television in addition to contributing to many professional journals. Brustad serves as a speaker at regional and national arts conferences in the United States and regularly consults with arts and entertainment organizations and producers.
He has directed numerous productions ranging from the classical theater to contemporary musicals. Brustad created and directed the mardi gras musical Fat Tuesday (And All That Jazz)! for the stage and national television (PBS). He also staged for worldwide television The Meeting of Two Worlds concert in 1992 in the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. In 2008, Brustad created and produced with Marvin Hamlisch From Broadway to Brunswick and wrote, directed and produced the full length theatrical BALLROOM! The following year, he created and produced with Academy Awards Music Director Bill Conti Hollywood at the State, and in 2010 created and produced That’s Entertainment (A Las Vegas Experience) starring Lynda Carter.
While pursuing a double-edged career as a producer and director, Wes Brustad founded Stage South (South Carolina) and served as Vice President of The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis where he developed the Second Stage and oversaw the Theater’s national touring productions in addition to heading up its fund raising efforts. He was the Executive Director of the South Carolina Arts Commission and a co-founder of the South Carolina Arts Foundation. He oversaw the design and building of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center where he also served as the Producing Director for the Advent Theatre (a LORT Theater) directing a variety of work from the classics to contemporary comedies to musicals. He moved from theater to music to manage the Spokane, Los Angeles Chamber, and San Diego Symphony Orchestras and produced major arts festivals such as the Beale Street Music Festival. Brustad served as the President and CEO of the State Theatre Regional Arts Center in New Jersey, a multi-theatre venue offering in excess of 225 performances annually.
He and his wife, Karla Brustad, an actress, artist and musician live in San Diego. They have two daughters, Dr. Stephanie Isgitt and Jessica Brustad, and Wes has one son, Jason Brustad, from his first marriage.
