Selena Kelly

I'm a London-based Irish freelance writer, director and facilitator. I started off writing and directing for Galway Youth Theatre in Ireland before getting head-hunted by Druid Theatre Company to direct their inaugural Druid Debut play as part of their new writing initiative. I then moved to London to study at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where I continued to hone my craft. For over 15 years I worked in the education sector where I ran drama departments, taught Drama and Dance lessons and wrote, directed and produced over 60 productions with children ranging in age from 4 to 12.
I am now working as a freelance writer/director. I love devising and new writing. Collaboration is my middle name. Physical Theatre and Immersive Theatre particularly excite me. I like work that provokes debate, that helps us find answers in these politically askew times. I like issue-based work that highlight working-class dilemmas. I like to incorporate puppetry, movement, sound and spectacle into my work. I'm not afraid of a challenge! Get in touch if you'd like to collaborate on something - I have lots of ideas.

Pronoun: she/her

Credits

CREATIVE SUPPORT, Jitney, Headlong and Leeds Playhouse, Sep-Nov 21
DIRECTOR, TV comedy pilot, Barry and Sian BS Productions Aug 2021
DIRECTOR, Bigot, UnShaded Arts, Camden People's Theatre Jul 2021
DIRECTOR/SCRIPT SUPERVISOR, 7 NHS FILMS in association with MENCAP and National Autistic Society, filmed Jun/Jul 2021 release date TBC
DIRECTOR/WRITER, Home, Guildford School of Acting, PATS Studio, Recorded video/audio digital stream, Nov 2020
DIRECTOR/WRITER, Refuge, Guildford School of Acting, PATS Studio, Showcase, Nov 2020
DIRECTOR/VIDEO/EDITING, Parasocial, Directors' Cut, duologue for Intimacy in Distanced Times digital stream July/Aug 2020
DIRECTOR, The Art Teacher, Rehearsed script reading for zoom, Directors' Cut, 1 night July 2020
DIRECTOR/VIDEO/EDITING, Growing Pains, Directors' Cut, monologue for Intimacy in Distanced Times digital stream July/Aug 2020
DIRECTOR/VIDEO/EDITING, Sea Her, Directors' Cut, monologue for Intimacy in Distanced Times digital stream July/Aug 2020
CREATIVE ENABLER/PERFORMER, UnReal City, Access All Areas/DreamthinkSpeak, Battersea Arts Centre, 4 weeks, Mar 2020
DIRECTOR, WoLab Actor/Writer Showcase, The Bunker Theatre, The Lion and Unicorn Theatre, 3 performances 2019
2019 - Present DRAMA FACILITATOR/Access All Areas, Bradbury Studios London
2004-2018 - DRAMA TEACHER, DIRECTOR , WRITER, Independent Primary Schools in West London. Highlights include: The Playground, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, Dorothy's Adventures in Oz, Scrooge, Ye-Ha!, Pirates of the Curry Bean, What a Knight, Shakespeare Rocks, Peter Pan the British Musical, Wilbur the Miracle Pig

2006- DIRECTOR/DRAMATURG/WRITER, street theatre and site-specific adaptation of The Master and Margarita, Strangeworks Collective, 3 performances for Project 06 Galway, Ireland

2000-2003- WRITER/DIRECTOR, rehearsed reading of Stained, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama,
WRITER/DIRECTOR, Bench, the Political Years, 3 performances, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Sweeney Todd, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Embassy Theatre, 1 week
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Death and the Ploughman, The Gate Theatre, Notting Hill, 4 weeks
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, An Original Night With Francis Fahy, Town Hall Theatre, Galway, Ireland 1 week
DIRECTOR, In High Germany, The Lion and Unicorn, Kentish Town, London, 1 week
DIRECTOR, The Bower Wall, Druid Theatre, Galway, Ireland
DIRECTOR, More Light, Galway Youth Theatre, Nuns Island Theatre, Galway, 2 weeks
DIRECTOR, Taking Breath, Nuns Island Theatre and The Lyric Theatre Belfast

Training

Young Vic Directors' Programmed online workshops. Highlights include: Matthew Dunster Masterclass, Making Inclusive Theatre, Script Reading for Theatre, Working with Intimacy Directors, Creating a Character, Starting a Theatre Company, Collaboration on Movement and Text
Speech Bubbles, London Bubble Theatre: An introduction for Practitioners

Extensive training in Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, Prevent, as well as workshops with Frantic Assembly and Punchdrunk

City Lit, London: Final Cut Pro X editing course

City University London: Writing For Theatre

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London:
2:1 BA Hons Degree Theatre Practice (specialising in Directing, Dramaturgy and Playwriting

VTOS, Galway, Ireland: TV and Video Studies Course

Galway Youth Theatre, Galway, Ireland:
NCVA certificate in Theatre Production – awarded a Distinction