Mary Gilsenan

Mary Gilsenan

Scriptwriter | Director | ActorManchester, United Kingdom
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Pip Jamieson
Shaneika Johnson-Simms
J.D.P. Croÿ
Mary Gilsenan

Mary Gilsenan

Scriptwriter | Director | ActorManchester, United Kingdom
About me
Currently directing Cock Therapy a tragicomedy written by Joseph Gaskill, premiering at the Manchester Fringe Festival on the 27th/28th September 2021! Previously cast in an ongoing series entitled Chicken Lane by JBL3 Productions as ‘Ines O’Brien’, and working as a script editor on the series. I'm an ambitious and tenacious graduate from Salford University, finishing with a 1:1, with a strong passion for entertainment, writing, directing, television, and film. I have directed two of my own adapted and devised pieces at Salford University, and written multiple scripts for TV and Theatre. Writing and directing for television and theatre. Previously I acted as secretary of Salford University's LGBTQ+ Society wherein I manage all social media, emails, messages, administration, liaising with outside companies, and with the university. The safety, wellbeing, and happiness of Salford Uni's LGBTQ+ Students is of the utmost importance to me. Outside of theatre, I also have my own art business where I sell prints, sell commissions, and work on projects with other creatives. I will be focusing more on that in late 2021 with a website coming soon!
Projects
  • Cock Therapy
    Cock TherapyThe show is a tragicomedy, directed by myself, Mary Gilsenan, filled with snarky one-liners, genuine laughs, and moments that really cut you to the core. It tells the story of a gay sex addict during one of his therapy sessions, exploring his past traumas via waving a dildo around (sorry), riling up his oddly timid sex therapist, and talking about whippets in cement mixers. This two-hander digs deep into issues surrounding mental health, lessens the taboo around sex addiction, and explores inte
Work history
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    DirectorManchester Fringe
    Manchester, United KingdomPart Time
    Cock Therapy part of the Manchester Fringe Festival! Written by Joseph Gaskill. The show is a tragicomedy, directed by myself, Mary Gilsenan, filled with snarky one-liners, genuine laughs, and moments that really cut you to the core. It tells the story of a gay sex addict during one of his therapy sessions, exploring his past traumas via waving a dildo around (sorry), riling up his oddly timid sex therapist, and talking about whippets in cement mixers. This two-hander digs deep into issues surrounding mental health, lessens the taboo around sex addiction, and explores interesting aspects of modern young queer culture. Expect plenty of laughs, surprises, and mentions of bumholes. What would Freud have said?! We're extremely proud of the piece and very grateful to be given the chance to tell a very dear story to our (and many others) hearts. It's very funny, very sad and very gay. It's probably the gayest thing he's written and I've directed, which, honestly is an achievement. It's a story that *should* be told, and now is a better time than ever.
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    ActorUniversity of Salford
     - Salford, United KingdomFull Time
    A list of some things I was involved in during my time at university: - An adaptation of Alice in Wonderland based around sex workers lives and the troubles they face. Perfromed at Salford University. Achieving a high 2:1 - Director of short 20 minute theatre piece ‘The Empire Builders’ by Boris Vian. I created a new interpretation and adaptation of an originally French play. I organised rehearsals for 5 hours a week and upwards of 10 hours a week I spent researching and devising. I directed 5 actors and provided clear and relevant research notes for each character/actor. Acheiving a 1:1 - Cast as the main Character in two versions of the same play entitled ‘Water for Ink’. There were only 2 characters within the piece so a large proportion of the success of the piece was placed on my shoulders. Performed at the Robert Powell Theatre. Directed by two third year students at the time. - Cast in a 3 minute short horror film created by a fellow student, I also co-directed the piece including a one minute scene that was all filmed in one shot. Operated camera equipment, and helped input during the editing process. - Cast in a 5 minute short comedy piece, written by a graduate and filmed by a student. Playing the character of “Trisha Beluga” with an Australian accent, the absurdist piece was a mock take of a news anchor show.
Skills
  • Script Writer
  • Script Editing
  • Script Development
  • Script Supervision
  • Art Drawing
  • Art
  • Film Reviewing
  • Directing Theatre
  • TV Acting
  • Short Film Acting
  • Acting
  • Theatre Acting
  • Drama Teaching
  • Teaching
Education
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    Bachelor of Arts (BA) The University of Salford
     - Salford, United Kingdom
Awards
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    First Class Honours BA Drama and Creative WritingUniversity of Salford