David Golbeck named 2026 Alumni Mace Marshal for Claire Trevor School of the Arts
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David Carl Golbeck
Drama alumnus brings a lifetime of theatrical practice, Disney storytelling and Orange County stage experience back to UC Irvine
When David Golbeck arrived at UC Irvine in 1975 as a Drama transfer student, he found a creative community that would shape the rest of his life. Nearly five decades later, Golbeck returns to campus as the 2026 Alumni Mace Marshal for the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, a distinguished ceremonial role honoring his connection to UCI Arts and the alumni community he now represents.
The Alumni Mace Marshal holds a meaningful place in UC Irvine’s commencement ceremony, leading the official processional and recessional while carrying the University Mace. Golbeck will be seated on stage with the platform party and recognized as a symbol of the enduring connection between UCI graduates and the alumni whose paths continue to inspire them.
This year’s joint commencement ceremony, honoring graduates from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences and Paul Merage School of Business, will take place at 12:45 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Bren Events Center.
For Golbeck, the honor brings his UC Irvine story full circle.
David Carl Golbeck, his first headshot at UC Irvine. Photo courtesy of David Golbeck.
As a Drama student in the mid-1970s, Golbeck performed in productions including The Devils, A Man for All Seasons and In Celebration. He also served as assistant stage manager for a Brewster Mason-directed production of Much Ado About Nothing.
After leaving UCI, Golbeck was invited by then-faculty member Tom Ruzika to hang lights at the early South Coast Repertory on Newport Boulevard. Ruzika thought Golbeck, thin but wiry, could fit into the limited overhead space and move lighting instruments into place. That backstage opportunity led to roles in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Equus, as well as a touring children’s production, Orange Trees, which visited elementary schools throughout Orange County.
Golbeck behind the original South Coast Repertory theater. Photo courtesy of David Golbeck.
Golbeck later returned to the entertainment industry through attraction operations at Disneyland, where his theatrical training opened the door to a 32-year career with The Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney Imagineering. Drawing on the performance, presentation and storytelling skills he developed at UC Irvine, he created and delivered park and resort tours for potential sponsors, Walt Disney Imagineering interns and Imagineers assigned to support Aulani, Disney’s resort on Oahu.
As a show producer, Golbeck helped coordinate and oversee Walt Disney Imagineering-focused art gallery installations at Disneyland. He also developed presentations for hourly cast members that emphasized the importance of maintaining show elements at the highest quality standards, a philosophy deeply connected to the theatrical principles he first encountered at UC Irvine.
Golbeck leading a meeting at Disney Imagineering. Photo courtesy of David Golbeck.
Throughout his professional life, Golbeck has credited the Claire Trevor School of the Arts with giving him a foundation that extended well beyond the stage. The ability to communicate clearly, understand audience experience, work collaboratively and honor the details of a production became central to his work in themed entertainment and live storytelling.
After retiring in 2017, Golbeck returned to performing in local theatre productions throughout Orange County, appearing with Chance Theater, Costa Mesa Playhouse, Westminster Community Playhouse, Newport Theatre Arts Center, Cabrillo Playhouse and Camino Real Playhouse. A particularly meaningful full-circle moment came when he performed in The Tempest and The Taming of the Shrew at UCI’s New Swan Shakespeare Festival, bringing him back to the campus where his theatrical journey began.
David Golbeck in New Swan Shakespeare Festival's 2017 production of The Tempest. Photo: Paul R. Kennedy
Golbeck’s selection as Alumni Mace Marshal honors both his professional accomplishments and his lasting relationship with UCI Arts. His path reflects the many ways an arts education can continue to shape a life, from acting and stage management to Imagineering, community theatre and service to the next generation of creative leaders.
To learn more about UC Irvine commencement and the schedules, visit https://commencement.uci.edu/
