JOHN ORTIZ is a co-founder of LAByrinth Theater Company and currently serves as its Artistic Director. He served as co-artistic director with Philip Seymour Hoffman for eight seasons (2002-2010). John has acted in over 12 LAByrinth productions including plays by Stephen Adly Guirgis, Brett C. Leonard, John Patrick Shanley, and Bob Glaudini. In 2009 he appeared as the titular role in William Shakespeare’s Othello opposite Phil Hoffman as Iago, directed by Peter Sellars. John has appeared on stage in some of the world’s most prominent theaters including on Broadway, the Public Theater, London’s West End, Bobigny in Paris, Lyric in Edinburgh, Steppenwolf, The Goodman, The Mark Taper Forum, and The Arena Stage in DC. On film and TV, John worked with acclaimed directors including Ridley Scott (American Gangster, SAG nomination), David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, SAG and Gotham nomination), Michael Mann (Miami Vice, Public Enemies, and Blackhat), Danny Boyle (Steve Jobs), JJ Abrams (Hope), The Duplass Brothers (“Togetherness”), Philip Seymour Hoffman (LAByrinth’s screen adaptation of Jack Goes Boating, Spirit nomination), and more. Upcoming: “Messiah” for Netflix. As LAByrinth enters its 28th season, John remains committed as an artistic director/producer in leading an ensemble-driven company, focused on developing original works.
