Associate Director

Mark Kilmurry

Mark trained at the Coventry School of Theatre, an intense two year course based in the techniques of Stanislavski, Brecht and Artaud.   After graduating Mark played in rep including GOTCHA by Barry Keefe, MEASURE FOR MEASURE, (Bardovan Theatre Company) THE CARETAKER (Pattern 23 Theatre Company) and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, (Cambridge Experimental Theatre Company). During training at drama school Mark studied mime and physical theatre and combined these skills to form the Snarling Beasties Theatre Company with fellow graduate Debbie Isitt. The Snarling Beasties toured Debbie’s plays, including;  GANGSTERS, PUNCH & JUDY –the real story, FEMME FATALE, THE WOMAN WHO COOKED HER HUSBAND; OUT of the ORDINARY nationally and internationally playing for six years at the Edinburgh festival winning Perrier Pick-of-the-Fringe three years running, the Independent Theatre Award and Time Out Theatre Award.   

Mark wrote his first play ONE SHOT in 1993, playing at Belvoir Street, Sydney Theatre Company and at Santa Fe Theatre Stages festival along with “will the real James Dean please stand up?” Mark was a regular at Santa Fe for three years performing in their repertory season, including NEVILLE’S ISLAND, TARTUFFE and writing, directing and performing in JOHN WAYNE NEVER SLEPT HERE with fellow American actor Brad Bellamy. Through the Santa Fe Festival Mark gained a green card to live and work in the USA.

Since arriving in Sydney in 1996 Mark has performed, written and directed many plays including; WHAT A PIECE OF WORK (actor, Griffin Theatre Company), THE DUMB WAITER ( actor, Downstairs Belvoir), HAMLET (actor & director, Studio Company & Riverside Theatres), HAMMERKLAVIER (director) and THE LOVER (director), MERCY THIEVES (actor, director and writer), HAPPY AS LARRY & VIV (actor, director and writer), CYRANO DE BERGERAC (actor, Sydney Theatre Company).  Mark’s radio plays include THE MIME-ARTIST’S WIFE (ABC DRAMA) THE LIGHT COMES UP (ABC DRAMA).  

Mark is the Associate Director for Ensemble and has previously appeared on stage in the Ensemble’s productions of RABBIT HOLE, THE DRAWER BOY, ART, AFTERPLAY & THE YALTA GAME, AUNTIE & ME and JAPES. In 2006 he directed and performed the title role in HAMLET. In 2008 Mark adapted and directed YOU TALKIN' TO ME? DIARY OF AN OLYMPIC CABBIE and in 2009 will devise, write and direct AND THE COW JUMPED OVER THE MOON. His other directing credits for Ensemble include ABIGAIL'S PARTY, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, LITTLE NELL, MARY STUART, THE BUSY WORLD IS HUSHED, HALPERN & JOHNSON, DERRIDA IN LOVE, THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW and Warren Mitchell’s one man show WARREN GARNETT & ALF MITCHELL IN….

Mark’s film appearances include; PASSION, A FILM FOR YOU and television; WHITE COLLAR BLUE, CNNNN, BACKBERNER, HOME AND AWAY.  He has received the Timeout (UK) Theatre Award; Independent Theatre Award, two Norman Kessell Memorial (Glugs) Awards for Best Actor for HAMLET and JAPES and in 2007 was awarded the Hayes Gordon Memorial Award for Important Contribution to Theatre by the Glugs.

 www.markkilmurry.com.au