David Gilna
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David Gilna ( Born 24th October 1984 ) is an award-winning Irish playwright, director, performer, producer and poet from Swords, Co Dublin. Known for his plays 5 Nights, The Gift of Lightning, My Bedsit Window & The Unsung Hero.
EARLY LIFE
David was born in Swords, Co Dublin. He trained at The National Performing Arts School under the guidance of Jill Doyle & Eamon Farrell and furthered his education at Colaiste Dhulaigh studying Theatre Studies in College. David began his creative journey as a writer after he was hit by lightning on a beautiful sunny day in South Boston. This sparked David to write his first play.
WORKING LIFE
He got his first taste of being on set in Ireland working on the feature film Dead Bodies directed by Robert Quinn. During his time in Canada he worked on the feature film Dawn of the Dead directed by Zack Snyder. David has appeared in theatrical productions in The Samuel Beckett, The Olympia Theatre, London's West End, Shakespeare’s Globe & Broadway. His most challenging role was playing Tadeusz 'Teddy' Pietrzykowski in Kolbe's Gift at The Leicester Square Theatre. Bringing to life the true story of a warrior who survived the concentration camps of Auschwitz.
He founded Red Lightning Productions between 2008-2018 producing theatre and circus throughout Ireland. In 2018 he founded Lightning Comedy and in 2020 founded David Gilna Productions.
LONDON LIFE
During his time in London , David managed two popular London watering holes in Waterloo ,The Kings Arms on Roupell Street and The Windmill on The Cut before he made his London debut as a playwright at The Waterloo East Theatre.
THEATRE UNDER THE BIG TOP
In 2008 he Co-Founded Theatre Under The Big Top with Charles O’Brien curating theatre each year with Fossett’s Circus at Electric Picnic.
ACTION INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION
David is a blackbelt in Taekwondo and trained under the guidance of Master John Darcy , Master Eugene McQuillan and Grand Master Hee IL Cho who founded the Action International Martial Arts Association in 1980. This martial arts organization specializes in taekwondo.
ORIGINAL PLAYS
Gilna’s first full length play 5 Nights premiered at The Samuel Beckett in 2008 directed by Simon Hubbard starring Stephen Russell, Michael Yare, Colin Condon, Maire-Claire Nolan, Ruth O’Neill & Lauren O’Toole.
Following on from his debut success Gilna’s second play The Gift of Lightning was directed by Ray Yeates & Conal Kearney starring Melissa Nolan, Ciara Bailey, Stephen Russell & Slaine Kelly. It premiered at the Axis Theatre in 2009 followed by a national tour and transferred to The Waterloo East Theatre in the summer of 2011. David sold the film rights to this play to World Picture Films and Blue Pip Productions.
Gilna’s third play My Bedsit Window had its world premiere at the Theatre Upstairs in 2014 starring Stephen Agnew & Anthony Blake directed by Michael Scott. It went on to critical acclaim with a National and European Tour. The play was translated into Italian by Alberto Albertino and staged at the Teatro Electra in Rome (2015-2016) starring Lorenza Sacchetto, Andrea Guerini, Matteo Maria Dragoni and directed by Alberto Albertino. The play launched Swords Castle in December 2017 starring David Gilna and was directed by Glenn Gannon. David was awarded for his work as a playwright by the Mayor of Fingal & Chief Executive Paul Reid at a special presentation at County Hall.
Gilna’s fourth play The Unsung Hero was commissioned by Dublin City Council for the 2016 Easter Rising Commemorations about The O’Rahilly the Co-Founder of the Irish Volunteers and Nancy Brown the Vice-President of the Cumann na mBan. It had its world premiere at the Theatre Upstairs in 2016 starring Conor Delaney & Roseanna Purcell directed by Michael Scott.
David went on to make his directorial debut with The Unsung Hero later that year to mark the 2016 Fingal Easter Rising Commemorations at County Hall starring Conor Delany Rebecca Murphy. He was awarded best commemorative play by the Mayor of Fingal Darragh Butler.
On March 16th 2021 he made his virtual New York debut as a playwright & director with The Unsung Hero at the Irish Rep starring Michael Mellamphy, featuring Rob Vickers, Nawal Elbadri and music by Rebecca Murphy. Local artist Glenn Matthews was commissioned for the artwork. On Sunday 25th April 2021 the play was screened at The Irish Cultural Centre of New England to mark the 105th Anniversary of The Easter Rising.
WORKS
THEATRE
5 Nights (2008) The Samuel Beckett, The New Theatre, The Axis Theatre, Theatre Under The Big Top, Electric Picnic, Fossett’s Circus.
The Gift Of Lightning (2011) The Axis Theatre, The Waterloo East Theatre, Theatre Under The Big Top, Electric Picnic, Fossett’s Circus, Electric Picnic, National Tour.
My Bedsit Window (2014) Theatre Upstairs, The Factory, The Axis Theatre, Swords Castle, Mullingar Arts Centre, St John’s Theatre Listowel, Theatre Under The Big Top, Electric Picnic, National & European Tour.
The Unsung Hero (2016) Theatre Upstairs, Mullingar Arts Centre, Ballylongford Hall, The Atrium, Swords Castle, Theatre Under The Big Top, Electric Picnic, Fossett’s Circus, National & European Tour, The Irish Rep, The Irish Cultural Centre of New England.
FILM
Ya Clown (2018) Los Angeles Film Awards, Charlie Chaplin Film Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, Richard Harris Film Festival, Kerry International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, Prague Film Festival, Paris Film Festival.
One For The Ditch (2021) Kansas City Film Fest International, Los Angeles Film Awards.
TELEVISION
The Friday Night Lock In (2010) RTE
Fair City (2010-2012) RTE
My Happiness (2013) RTE, PBS
Dear Fingal (2021) RTE, Oireachtas Tv, PBS
The O’Rahilly the Unsung Hero (2021) RTE
FILMOGRPAHY
2001 I Don’t Believe It William
2003 Dead Bodies DJ
2004 Dawn of the Dead Mall Zombie
2004 Ella Enchanted Elf
2010 My Happiness David
2012 Meeting on the Stairs Comme Chef
2018 Ya Clown Ringmaster
2021 One For The Ditch David
2021 Brother Alex
Awards and honours
2011 Best New Play The Waterloo East Theatre for The Gift of Lightning
2014 Arts Council Bursary
2015 Dublin City Council Bursary for The Unsung Hero
2016 Best New Play Easter Rising Centenary Commemorations for The Unsung Hero
2017 Best New Play County Hall for My Bedsit Window
2018 Creative Ireland Bursary
2019 Fingal County Council Bursary
2020 Best Micro Film Los Angeles Film Awards for Ya Clown
2020 Best Director Micro Film Los Angles Film Awards for Ya Clown
2020 Culture Ireland Bursary
2020 Creative Ireland Bursary
External Links
References[edit]
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