Born in San Diego, California into a family steeped in music and theatre. His mother and grandfather were both actors and his uncle and aunt, Don and Bonnie Ward, ran San Diego's Starlight Musical Theatre for many years. Ted began acting at a young age with San Diego Junior Theatre and went on to earn a graduate degree in film and television from San Diego State. He has since gone on to write, direct, perform and design sound and lighting for both film and theatre projects across San Diego and Orange County. He was named artistic director of the Oceanside Theatre Company in March, 2017.