David O'Donnell

David John O'Donnell is a theatre director, actor, and academic based in Wellington, New Zealand. Born in Nelson in 1956, O'Donnell has had a distinguished career in the field of performing arts. He holds a diploma in Acting from Toi Whakaari/New Zealand Drama School and has graduated from both Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Otago, where he earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts and an MA. O'Donnell started his academic journey as an assistant lecturer in Theatre Studies at Allen Hall, Otago University and has been a full professor at Victoria University of Wellington since 2019. He is a respected figure in the School of English, Film, Theatre, Media Studies and Art History, and has received numerous Excellence in Teaching Awards.