Janice Dunn

FREELANCE DIRECTOR / WRITER

​2011 - present

 

​Based in Copenhagen, working in Denmark, England, Luxemburg. Written 8 new shows, directed numerous plays and  pantomimes, co-produced new musicals and a cabaret. Plus workshops and development projects, drama school work and summer schools.

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DIRECTING AND DRAMATURGY U.K.

The Oval House, London: 'Vernon God Little' 

The White Bear, Kennington: 'Reformation' by James Martin

Wilton's Music Hall, London: 'Maxa, the most assassinated woman in the world', by Roulston and Young. (Director/ dramaturg.)

'The English Civil Whore': Theatre Royal, Norwich for Keepers Daughter Theatre. (Dramaturg/ director/ movement director.)

De Montfort Hall, Leicester: Director and writer of annual pantomime in this 1,300 seat venue.

Spa Centre, Leamington: Director and co-writer of the pantomime for this 500 seat venue.

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SKUESPILLERAKADEMIET (The Acting Academy.)   TUTOR

Training students in acting/ performance at one of Copenhagen's most popular drama academies. 

 

IMAGINE PRODUCTIONS    DIRECTOR/ WRITER

Delivering high quality original musical pantomimes for one of the UK's most prolific providers of family entertainment. Working the Midlands region in Leamington Spa and Leicester.

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LEATSS (European Summer School) :

A workshop leader, and producer, for the annual summer school based in Luxemburg/ Belgium; and workshop leader for regular programmes throughout the year. 

 

FASTERPUSSYCAT              CO-DIRECTOR

Directed 'Catastrophic Sex Music', and 'Finding Sophie' for Bådteatret Copenhagen. Also wrote Finding Sophie, funded by Danish arts council to tour nationally.

Workshops for schools and gymnasium (6th form), including the popular programme 'Shakespeare out Loud'.  

 

UNGSCENE KBH, COPENHAGEN KOMMUNE:

An arts organisation offering free professionally run creative opportunities,, for Copenhagen based teenagers. Co-producer/ director and writer of anual prodductions, cabaret and flashmobs.

 

OPHELIA DRAMASKOLE:

Delivered a course on Greek Theatre, using Otto Steen Due's Danish translation of 'Antigone'. Worked in English and Danish.

 

TEATERBUTIKKEN:

Deliver week long projects each year for participating schools, at their city centre venue. Including work on Beckett, improvisation and environmental interventions.

 

 

Mercury Theatre Colchester: Associate Director (Sous Chef:)​  2003 - 2011

 

• ​Directed productions.

• Produced several new writing initiatives.

• Key involvement in programming and policy.

• Wrote 8 pantomimes and 2 new plays.

• Delivered creative development programmes over period of 6 years for professional acting ensemble, and staff.

• Deputised for CEO.

 

PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Catastrophic Sex Music  Bysshe Coffey  Co-pro with Theatre 503 / Latitude Festival.

Small Miracle   Neil D'Souza  Co-pro with Tricycle Theatre.

Stockholm  Bryony Lavery   Tour to Naional Theatres of Macedonia and Bulgaria.

The Europeans   Howard Barker   World Premiere.

A View from the Bridge   Arthur Miller.

Eve Ryman  Janice Dunn   European tour as part of EU funded PLOTS.

Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui   Brecht (trans Ranjit Bolt.)

Triumph of Love   Martin Crimp.

Oh, What a Lovely War   Theatre Workshop.

Road   Jim Cartwright.

Habeas Corpus   Alan Bennett.

 

 

Mad Half Hour Theatre Company   Co-Director

​1999 - 2011

 

​A Coventry based, West MIdlands Arts funded professional theatre company, which produced new work, collaborated with local young people and community groups, and was a key provider of projects for Arts Council Englands Creative Partnerships scheme.

 

KEY PROJECTS

Bodytalk / Hello Boys   Janice Dunn    Two companion pieces, aimed at teenage girls / boys, raising awareness of testicular cancer and breast cancer. Produced in collaboration with Belgrade Theatre, Cov and Warwks Breast Cancer charity and Coventry University Hospital. Toured West Midlands region for 10 years, and was in huge demand.

 

The Boy with the Bomb in his Crisps   Janice Dunn / Lyndi Smith  

A co-production with the Belgrade and Mercury Theatres, which involved hundreds of local people and community groups in Coventry and Colchester, and evolved into a new play about migration.

Hugely successful audience devlopment project.

 

Camped Out   Janice Dunn   A physical comedy project aimed at a working class sensibility. Commissioned by Coventry Arts Alive festival. Toured nationally and played the Pleasance Edinburgh Fringe festival.

 

Please see www.madhalfhourtheatre.com  (archive).

 

Belgrade Theatre Coventry: Associate Director (Sous Chef)  1990 - 1999

 

• Directed productions in-house, and also touring.

• Chair of Senior Management team.

• Key contributor Policy and programming; mentoring and training.

• Director of Youth and Community.

• Peer Group work , and cascade education pioneer.

• EOP work and access initiatives.

• Work for those with SLD.

• Director of worlds first devised and integrated community play.

 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Development of access initiatives that became common practice nationally.

Creation of two nationally recognised, award winning initiatives for young people at risk; Acting Up and Acting Out.

Hugely successful audience development programmes for and with young people.

Pioneering use of peer group education projects for tackling difficult issues in schools.

 

PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow  Rony Robinson   Coventry blitz anniversary.

Wrens Last Gift   Campbell Perry   Regional tour.

Sparkleshark  Philip Ridley.

Chicago  Kander and Ebb.

Guys and Dolls  Loesser and Lowe.

Godspell   Scwartz.