KATE CANNING
DIRECTOR-PRODUCER-FACILITATOR
ABOUT
Kate is Artistic Director and CEO of the Mill Theatre. She has led the organization for 7 years, developed and implemented a new strategy, delivered commercial success and a broad community engagement programme. The theatre has greatly improved its artistic output and impact, diversified its audience, increased public funding and uniquely positioned itself within the wider arts ecology.
Kate received her Masters Degree in Drama and Theatre Studies from D.C.U. in 2009 and then moved to Singapore to work both as an actor and director. While there she worked as a performer with Singapore Lyric Opera. In 2012 she graduated with a Higher Diploma in Vocal Performance at The Royal Irish Academy of Music
Kate was appointed General Manager of the DLR Mill Theatre in June 2016. Previously, she worked at the Gaiety School of Acting as the Shakespeare Schools Programmer. Kate directs at the Mill theatre, most recent productions include 'Eclipsed', The Importance of Being Earnest and The Playboy of The Western World. Previously she directed King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Macbeth for Gaiety Schools of Acting and The Importance of Being Earnest for Smock Alley Productions. In 2022, She produced two new Irish Musicals, Tír Na Nóg and SISTERS, both funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Sport, Arts, Media and the Gaeltacht. Kate has worked broadly in Arts Education and founded both the Shakespeare Schools Festival and the Primary Shakespeare Festival.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK
B.A. Sociology & History 2002 – 2005
DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY
M.A. Drama & Theatre Studies 2005 – 2007
ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY OF MUSIC
Higher Diploma in Vocal Performance and Teaching 2012-2013
2022 PRODUCING CREDITS
Tír na nÓg is a production by Mill Theatre, in association with Aon Scéal Theatre. The production has been funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
SISTERS is the title of a groundbreaking new Irish musical that will open at the Mill Theatre Dundrum this September.
The new musical has been written and directed by Tracy Ryan with musical direction by Kaeylea B. VanKeith.
DIRECTING CREDITS
2020 Eclipsed by Patricia Burke Brogan
Produced by Mill Theatre
2019 Annie 'The Musical
Produced by Mill Theatre
2019 The Playboy of the Western World by JM Synge
Produced by Mill Theatre
2018 Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Produced by Balally Players
2018 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Produced by Mill Theatre
2016 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Produced by Smock Alley Productions
2016 Romeo and Juliet/King Lear by William Shakespeare
Produced by Gaiety School of Acting as part of the Shakespeare Programme which tours nationally and completes a two week residency at Smock Alley
2015 Romeo and Juliet/Othello by William Shakespeare
Produced by Gaiety School of Acting as part of the Shakespeare Programme which tours nationally and completes a two week residency at Smock Alley
2014 Romeo and Juliet/Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Produced by Gaiety School of Acting as part of the Shakespeare Programme which tours nationally and completes a two week residency at Smock Alley
REVIEWS
The Importance of Being Earnest
Of Mice and Men
THE two boys are still gas. The two boys, would you believe, are still 'Bunburying' (or 'Earnesting' - leading double lives, basically). Yes, even after 120 years, Oscar Wilde's 'masterpiece' continues to retain most of its sparkle and ingenuity.
INDEPENDENT
In her director’s note, which is more insightful than many a director’s note, Kate Canning lauds the fact that even after 120 years this play remains “Brilliant”. In honour of that simple truth, her direction allows each member of the cast to permit the genius of Wilde’s language to hold centre stage.
NO MORE WORKHORSE
https://evoke.ie/2018/02/09/entertainment/events/theatre-review-mice-men-dundrum
PRESS
IRISH TATLER
Teaching the country's jagged history through the medium of theatre is something with which Kate Canning is grossly familiar.
A former Shakespeare Schools Programmer for the Gaiety School of Acting, Canning's penchant for Arts Education has seen her direct King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Macbeth and The Importance of Being Earnest solely for the purpose of encouraging our country's youth.
TOTALLY DUBLIN
Smock Alley are soon to host a new production of Oscar Wilde’s extravagant and incorrigible magnum opus The Importance of Being Earnest. Part of Smock Alley’s Dinner and a Show series, the silly play about serious issues will receive a sensual overhaul by Kate Canning, fresh from the Spots op West International Theatre Festival where she performned in a stage adaptation of Frank O’Connor’s Guests of the Nation. We spoke with Canning about feasting, fashion, frivolity, and other f-words as she prepared to enter rehearsals.
GET IN TOUCH
Get in touch to learn more about KATE CANNING, her work and professional career, or to suggest a new project.
Arbour Hill
