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David Gilbert

Director

David Gilbert is a director and theatre maker from Zimbabwe who's worked with the top leading theatre's in London over the past 5 years. David has worked on projects and shows with Kiln Theatre, National Theatre, Young Vic, Unicorn Theatre, Almeida Theatre, Halfmoon Theatre, Oval House and Trafalgar Studios. He recently completed Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme at Cambridge Junction working on a range of productions by companies including Unit, New International Encounter and Dancing Brick. In 2018 & 2019 David's directed shows in Brighton & Edinburgh Festivals. In 2019 David took Young Vic's Parallel production of The Convert to Zimbabwe. He is a part of Frantic Assembly's Learn & Train Practitioners delivering devising workshops and residencies across the UK. And undergoing artistic mentorship from Decolonising the Archive.

David Gilbert has particular expertise working with physical theatre/movement, young actors, solo/autobiographical artists and on the ancient form of griot/storytelling. In the past 5 years David Gilbert has engaged with projects classed under terms like new writing, devised theatre and ensemble led theatre.

Be it theatre, physical theatre, workshops, film, music, actor training, performance art or any other art form. David's core focus in any and all of his work now is collaboration.

Credits

Director, Another Star to Steer By, Brighelm Centre, 2 nights, 2019
Director, Umtolo, Young Vic, 2 nights, 2019
Director, Windrush Time Capsule, Africa Centre, 2 nights, 2018
Director, Disney Dsyfunction, Assembly Rooms, 3.5 weeks, 2018
Assistant director, Ignition, Straford Circus, 2 nights, 2018
Assistant director, Dennis Of Penge, Oval House & The Albany, 3 weeks, 2018
Director, Theatre 503 Rapid Response,Theatre503, 2 nights, 2016
Assistant director, Ticking, Trafalgar Studios, 4 week, 2015

Training

Frantic Assembly (2018) – Over 6 months of training in the Frantic Assembly methodology to become part of the Frantic Assembly Learn & Train team.
Awarded Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme 2017 – Three-month placement @ Cambridge Junction
Young Vic (2016) – Three-month gentle mentorship with Natalie Abrahami
Young Vic (2016) – Two-day workshop with Peter Brook and Marie-Helene Estienne
Young Vic (2015) – Phrase 1 & 2; Introduction to Directing led by Melly Still
Company Three (2014) – directing course working with young people led by Ned Glasier
Almeida Projects & Central School of Speech & Drama (2011 – 2012) – Applied Theatre - Post Graduate Certificate

Location

London

Experience

2-5 years

What I do

  • Devising
  • Dramaturgy
  • Movement Direction
  • Physical Theatre / Mime
  • Working with young people

Additional Languages

Understands Shona but can't speak it.

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