Rob Hurwitt, formally of  The San Francisco Chronicle, has referred to Mr. Ernst as “a local treasure.” Robert is a co-founder of The Iowa Theater Lab (1968-1972). He did his first solo performance at 2019 Blake St. in Berkeley in 1973. In 1975, he co-founded The Blake St. Hawkeyes, a theater collective devoted to ensemble and the development of original works. During this time, he also created a half dozen more solo works. In 1984, he won a Dramalogue for best director and best over-all production for the musical, Tokens. In 1987, he performed a solo that lasted for for 24 hours and 12 minutes. Which was voted one of the “Best 10” performances of the year by Dennis Harvey/Boulevards.  His pocket opera, CATHERINE’S CARE at Alter-Theater was voted Best of the Year by The Guardian in 2007.  He performed his solo piece, TOWARDS/AWAY for percussion, harmonica and text at the 2015 San Francisco International Arts Festival at Ft. Mason to favorable notice.  (See attachments)  Also, two episodes of his stage episodic, THE BUCK & BILL SHOW, have been produced at The Klinghouse Salon & The Next Festival in San Francisco.  He has performed in Erling Wold’s opera, UKSUS-Twice!.