Gemma Whelan

Other (Educator)

Pacific University

Visiting Professor, Dramatic Arts Department (2008 – 2014).

Guest director, Burial at Thebes by Seamus Heaney.

Portland State University

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Theatre Arts Department (2009 – 2013).

The Actors Conservatory (Portland Actors Conservatory)

Instructor (2009 – 2010).

Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Drama instructor, School of Acting (2004 – 2005).

  • “Gemma was so in touch, so in tune with us, so engaged and present; she had a bundle of incredible rich creative ways of making us work on a character, bringing out who we were, giving us the perfect balance of freedom and guidance with such a deep fine understanding of human beings.”

    Elisabeth Chemouni, Student

California State University, East Bay

Professor, Theatre Arts Department (1989 – 2005).

ACT San Francisco

Drama instructor, Young Conservatory (1987 – 2005).

Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore

Visiting Professor in Film and Media Studies (acting, directing, screen writing, and film editing) (1997 – 1999).

Gemma with some of her students.

  • “She personified dedication to superior teaching.” “She is eminently suitable for being both a teacher and role model for students from a culturally and ethnically diverse society.”

    Veronica Leng, Senior Lecturer, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore

  • “Gemma enriched our programme... She inspired our students.”

    Dr. Victor Valbuena, Director, Centre for Film and Media studies, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore

Oakland Technical High School

Guest director, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1987).

Students in dance rehearsal for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Oakland Tribune).

Oakland Tech’s Dream: First performance in 15 years boosts school’s image (The Oakland Tribune).

  • “...a triumph...a step toward rebuilding a full-fledged drama department...after a year punctuated by violence, including an on-campus murder.”

    The Oakland Tribune

Theatre Tours, Ireland and England

Tour organizer and leader (Ohlone College, Mills College)

Student tour to Ireland and England, Mills College.

  • “Gemma provided a marvelous experience for our students.”

    Ken Burke, Professor, Mills College

  • “I cannot speak too highly of this theatre tour. Ms. Whelan’s organization was superb. As a theatre "freak", I was in seventh heaven the entire time.”

    Pamela Ford, Participant

  • “Gemma is the ideal ambassador, teacher, and hostess...”

    Jody Knipe Hinshaw, Participant

  • “We have been to all parts of the world, and our trip to Ireland with Gemma Whelan has been the most educational and the most pleasurable.”

    Lucy and English Strunsky, Participants

© 2024 Gemma Whelan