D. N. Rudall was born in Llanelli, Wales in 1940. He received his B.A. from Cambridge University and his Ph.D. from Cornell. He has been a professor of Classics at the University of Chicago since 1965. Rudall succeeded James D. O'Reilly as Director of Chicago's Court Theatre and has appeared in or directed over 60 theatrical productions in Chicago and beyond.

Professor of the University of Chicago and a classical actor who helped revive the Court Theater in Chicago.He was awarded a 1979 Joseph Jefferson Citation for Director of a Play for "She Stoops to Conquer", at the Court Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.He and Peter Syvertsen were awarded a 1979 Joseph Jefferson Citation for Director of a Play for "The Birthday Party", at the Court Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.He was awarded the 1981 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for "Juno and Paycock", at the Court Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.He was nominated for a 1987 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principal Role in a Play for "Jumpers", at the Court Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.He was nominated for a 1990 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principal Role in a Play for "The Paradise Hotel", at the Court Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.He was awarded the 1998 Joseph Jefferson Award for New Adaptation of "The Iphigenia Cycle", at the Court Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.