Mills College

Visiting Assistant Professor of Dramatic Arts and guest director (1989 – 2004).
Drama Department Chair (2001 – 2004).

“...one of the finest teaching resources you could hope to find.”

Ken Burke, Professor, Mills College

Dancing at Lughnasa

by Brian Friel

Directed by Gemma Whelan

“Gemma’s work is always keen, researched and well-imagined, as was her beautiful production of Dancing at Lughnasa at Mills.”

Randal Stewart, Artistic Director: Upon These Boards, Cerimon House

ABOUT

Set in 1930’s Ireland, the play depicts an era at a crossroads between old traditions and new social and political change. It chronicles the breakup of a home and the end of innocence.

Boadicea: The Musical

by John Fisher

Directed by John Fisher, Commissioned by Gemma Whelan

World Premiere

“He captured the spirit and the humor of the college community to a tee, with oddball one-liners, and ridiculous song and dance numbers.”

The Campanil
“I got to see Boadecia, which was so funny it was almost worth the price of tuition, let alone admission.”

Mills student, The Campanil
“Gemma was supportive and enthusiastic...lending encouragement at every step of the way.”

John Fisher, Playwright and Director

Christmas Carol: The Musical

by John Fisher

Directed by John Fisher, Commissioned by Gemma Whelan

World Premiere

“(This is) the ultimate collaboration—great because of the cooperation from other departments from Fine Arts to Physical Education.”

Richard Battle, Mills Costume Designer and Lecturer

ABOUT

Written especially for Mills, this version of the play is adapted to a new setting—a mythical women’s college in the East Bay.

Fools Fall

by Kathleen Turco-Lyon and Randall Stuart

Directed by Randall Stuart, Produced by Gemma Whelan

World Premiere

“Gemma Whelan’s producing expertise and creative support were invaluable to me during preproduction and rehearsals. As invited Guest Artists at Mills, Gemma welcomed me and my colleague, director Randall Stuart, with a most professional and supportive production team.”

Kathleen Turco-Lyon, Actor and Playwright, New York City

ABOUT

In this adaptation of Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens, a fusion of styles rattles the boards when the ancient world and present day merge to illuminate the fall of the benefactor Lady Timon. Or is this fall Timon’s self-determined tumble from grace?

Sea Marks

by Gardner McKay

Directed by Gemma Whelan

“Gemma’s superb direction helped me become comfortable acting in a romantic role and find the true expression of Colm’s thoughts and feelings.”

Jay Clifton, Cast (Colm), actor Bay Area

ABOUT

A bittersweet tale of a fisherman living on a remote island who has fallen in love with a woman he has glimpsed only once. The reaching out and fierce withdrawal of two people whose lives simply cannot be fused.

Vinegar Tom

by Caryl Churchill

Directed by Gemma Whelan

“The show was creatively staged, tightly paced, and cleverly tailored to capitalize on the strengths of the cast.”

Gart Graves, Central Works

ABOUT

Explores the root causes of the hysteria that led to the witch-hunts in England in 17th century. It shows how the poor, the widowed, the disenfranchised, and those on the fringes of society were used as scapegoats in times of uncertainty and distress.

Steel Magnolias

by Robert Harling

Directed by Gemma Whelan

ABOUT

Takes place over a series of Saturdays in a hair salon in Louisiana where the same six women convene. It’s a place where everybody gets their hair done and catches up on all the small town gossip — a place where they can feel unconditionally safe, and humor is a tool to get them through the hard times.

The Children’s Hour

by Lillian Hellman

Directed by Gemma Whelan

ABOUT

Set in a girls’ boarding school, an angry student runs away, and to avoid being sent back, tells her grandmother that the two headmistresses are having an affair. The accusation destroys the women’s careers and lives.