David Tuffnell

David (he/him) is a writer and director who nurtures the shared experience of the individual and amplifies the stories of communities.

Creatively, through his work, he crafts honest, warm and funny narratives that deal with issues and complexities with sincerity and heart.

Influenced by his own childhood, where gender stereotypes were broke from the day he was born, David finds the tenderness of masculinity and the fierceness of femininity, which flow through his writing.

In his facilitating, producing and teaching he goes beyond the designated structures and titles of those roles, in order to disband with labels and hierarchy. Making a space that is safe, where every individual understands their value and is confident to push beyond their comfort zone.

Exploring large and difficult ideas in a personal and humorous way that allows the tricky to be said and the playful to be explored.

Keen to work on queer, working class, female led narratives and the understanding that comes with that.

Commissioned by Live Theatre and Paines Plough. Longlist RSC 37 plays (2022), Shortlist for HIVE North’s OutStageUs (2022), Longlist ARC Stockton Make New Work (2024) and Shortlist Tees Valley Artist of The Year (2024)

“David is a distinctive, authentic, very funny voice and a trailblazer in the emerging Middlesbrough theatre scene. A writer of talent and originality.” James Grieve (Joint AD Paines Plough 2010-2019)

Credits

Lead Writer, Our Karen - Rainy Days and Mondays (R&D), ARC Stockton, 1 week, 2023
Devisor/Director, Hi Street Fest – Living Statues, Historic England, 1 day, 2023
Writer, A Winter's Tail, Middlesbrough Town Hall, 3 weeks, 2021/2022
Director, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Middlesbrough Town Hall, 2022
Writer/Director, In The Footsteps Of Giants, Middlesbrough Theatre, 1 week, 2021
Writer/Director, The Fiesta Fawns, Middlesbrough Theatre, 1 week, 2021
Writer, The Big 4-Oh, Live Theatre, 1 day, 2019
Facilitator/Director, Wild Flower (R&D), Curious Arts, 1 day, 2019
Writer/Director, Stella, Edinburgh Festival, 4 weeks, 2018
Devisor/Producer, Madame Sylvia, TVCA/Stellar Projects, 3 weeks, 2018
Writer, First Foot, Paints Plough, 1 day/Online, 2017
Director, Blithe Spirit, Middlesbrough Theatre, 1 week, 2017
Director/Devisor, The Miscast Bard, Middlesbrough Theatre, 1 week, 2016
Writer/Director, Is That All There Is? Jabberwocky Market, 1 day 2015
Director, The Lambton Worm, Middlesbrough Libraries, 1 week, 2014
Director, Bazaar & Rummage, Middlesbrough Theatre, 1 week, 2013
Writer/Director, Miss Crispy 1988, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Customs House South Shields, Blackfriars Arts Centre, Danby Village Hall, 3 weeks, 2012
Director, Your Home In The West, Middlesbrough Theatre, 1 week, 2012
Director, Forget Me Knot, Customs House South Shields, 1 week, 2011
Director, The Laramie Project, Hazel Pearson Theatre, 2 days, 2010
Director, Beautiful Thing, Hazel Pearson Theatre, 2 days, 2009

Training

2001-2004 LAMDA (3 year acting course)
2020-2021 University Of York (Masters in Playwriting)