Donal Shiels
Founder & CEO
Donal Shiels is a leading Irish producer and arts executive with thirty years of experience creating, producing and promoting theatre, opera, music and dance in Ireland and internationally. His career is defined by an ability to deliver ambitious artistic projects, build high-performing cultural organisations, and develop work that resonates with audiences at home and abroad.
Donal has collaborated extensively with many of Ireland’s major arts companies, including Opera Ireland, Druid, Gúna Nua, Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Rex Levitates, Second Age, The Gaiety and The Olympia. His international work includes producing and project development with Imagination London and Disney Theatrical, expanding his experience in large-scale commercial entertainment and global production models.
From 2003 to 2004, Donal managed the China/Ireland Cultural Exchange for the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism — the most comprehensive cultural exchange programme ever undertaken between Ireland and another country. This landmark initiative spanned all art forms and strengthened Ireland’s international cultural profile. In late 2004, Donal was appointed Chief Executive of St Patrick’s Festival, Ireland’s largest annual cultural celebration. Over five years he introduced new artistic programming, strengthened partnerships, and significantly broadened the festival’s creative impact and international visibility.
Donal went on to become Executive Producer with Lane Productions (2009–2011), overseeing major Irish and international theatrical tours and commercial productions including The Shawshank Redemption (Dublin & West End), Stones in His Pockets (Irish Tour), Haunted by Edna O’Brien (UK & Irish Tour), and The Field by John B. Keane (Dublin & Irish Tour).
In 2011, Donal founded Verdant Productions, which has become one of Ireland’s most active independent production companies, working across theatre, comedy, music and international touring. Verdant’s work includes Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo adapted by Simon Reade (Irish tour, Off-Broadway & US tour), Copper Face Jack’s The Musical by Paul Howard (Olympia Theatre), Trainspotting (Olympia Theatre), The Spinning Heart (Gaiety Theatre), Signatories at Kilmainham Gaol directed by Patrick Mason, Anglo: The Musical (Bord Gáis Energy Theatre & Olympia Theatre) and Alone It Stands (Olympia Theatre).
A major highlight of Verdant’s recent output is the critically acclaimed Mother of All the Behans starring Imelda May, directed by Peter Sheridan. Produced annually for the past three years, the production has become a significant commercial and artistic success, drawing large audiences to the 3Olympia Dublin, Cork and Belfast.
In 2022, Donal was appointed Artistic Director/CEO of The Civic Theatre. In this leadership role he oversees the artistic vision, programming strategy, festival partnerships, artist-development initiatives, and community and education programmes. His tenure has been marked by a renewed emphasis on artist support, original Irish work and engagement with the rapidly evolving cultural landscape of South Dublin. Under his guidance, The Civic continues to strengthen its position as a vital, inclusive and ambitious producing and presenting theatre.
Donal has collaborated extensively with many of Ireland’s major arts companies, including Opera Ireland, Druid, Gúna Nua, Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Rex Levitates, Second Age, The Gaiety and The Olympia. His international work includes producing and project development with Imagination London and Disney Theatrical, expanding his experience in large-scale commercial entertainment and global production models.
From 2003 to 2004, Donal managed the China/Ireland Cultural Exchange for the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism — the most comprehensive cultural exchange programme ever undertaken between Ireland and another country. This landmark initiative spanned all art forms and strengthened Ireland’s international cultural profile. In late 2004, Donal was appointed Chief Executive of St Patrick’s Festival, Ireland’s largest annual cultural celebration. Over five years he introduced new artistic programming, strengthened partnerships, and significantly broadened the festival’s creative impact and international visibility.
Donal went on to become Executive Producer with Lane Productions (2009–2011), overseeing major Irish and international theatrical tours and commercial productions including The Shawshank Redemption (Dublin & West End), Stones in His Pockets (Irish Tour), Haunted by Edna O’Brien (UK & Irish Tour), and The Field by John B. Keane (Dublin & Irish Tour).
In 2011, Donal founded Verdant Productions, which has become one of Ireland’s most active independent production companies, working across theatre, comedy, music and international touring. Verdant’s work includes Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo adapted by Simon Reade (Irish tour, Off-Broadway & US tour), Copper Face Jack’s The Musical by Paul Howard (Olympia Theatre), Trainspotting (Olympia Theatre), The Spinning Heart (Gaiety Theatre), Signatories at Kilmainham Gaol directed by Patrick Mason, Anglo: The Musical (Bord Gáis Energy Theatre & Olympia Theatre) and Alone It Stands (Olympia Theatre).
A major highlight of Verdant’s recent output is the critically acclaimed Mother of All the Behans starring Imelda May, directed by Peter Sheridan. Produced annually for the past three years, the production has become a significant commercial and artistic success, drawing large audiences to the 3Olympia Dublin, Cork and Belfast.
In 2022, Donal was appointed Artistic Director/CEO of The Civic Theatre. In this leadership role he oversees the artistic vision, programming strategy, festival partnerships, artist-development initiatives, and community and education programmes. His tenure has been marked by a renewed emphasis on artist support, original Irish work and engagement with the rapidly evolving cultural landscape of South Dublin. Under his guidance, The Civic continues to strengthen its position as a vital, inclusive and ambitious producing and presenting theatre.
Kerry Power
Producer, Production Coordinator & Company Manager
Kerry Power is an experienced theatre producer, production coordinator and company manager with a strong track record in delivering high-quality productions across Ireland and internationally. Her work spans large-scale commercial theatre, national touring productions, festival presentations and digitally adapted performance.
Recent producing credits include Isla by Tim Price and Falling To Earth by Eugene O’Brien at The Civic Theatre for the Dublin Theatre Festival (2023), and Speed The Plow by David Mamet for Verdant Productions. She was Assistant Producer on Mother of All The Behans at the 3Olympia Theatre. Other recent work includes Blackwater Lightship at the Gaiety Theatre (Dublin Theatre Festival 2022) and Copper Face Jacks The Musical, which toured to Dublin, Limerick and Cork.
Early career work with the Community, Education and Outreach Department at the Abbey Theatre.
Her producing portfolio also includes Art by Yasmina Reza and Hansel & Gretel at the The Mill Theatre, both presented live and online, and A Holy Show by Janet Moran, which toured nationally and internationally to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris.
Earlier work includes national tours of Private Peaceful by Michael Morphurgo Brothers of the Brush, and Shout! The Mod Musical, as well as productions of My Romantic History at the Viking Theatre and Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye for Garter Lane Arts Centre. Kerry has also worked extensively with Verdant Productions on major stage adaptations including Trainspotting, The Spinning Heart, Signatories, King Lear, Hamlet and Borstal Boy at The Gaiety Theatre.
Her wider experience includes Front of House Duty Manager at the Tivoli Theatre and
Kerry brings strong expertise in production management, touring logistics, stakeholder coordination and audience-focused delivery, with a particular interest in supporting ambitious Irish work to reach wide and diverse audiences.
Recent producing credits include Isla by Tim Price and Falling To Earth by Eugene O’Brien at The Civic Theatre for the Dublin Theatre Festival (2023), and Speed The Plow by David Mamet for Verdant Productions. She was Assistant Producer on Mother of All The Behans at the 3Olympia Theatre. Other recent work includes Blackwater Lightship at the Gaiety Theatre (Dublin Theatre Festival 2022) and Copper Face Jacks The Musical, which toured to Dublin, Limerick and Cork.
Early career work with the Community, Education and Outreach Department at the Abbey Theatre.
Her producing portfolio also includes Art by Yasmina Reza and Hansel & Gretel at the The Mill Theatre, both presented live and online, and A Holy Show by Janet Moran, which toured nationally and internationally to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris.
Earlier work includes national tours of Private Peaceful by Michael Morphurgo Brothers of the Brush, and Shout! The Mod Musical, as well as productions of My Romantic History at the Viking Theatre and Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye for Garter Lane Arts Centre. Kerry has also worked extensively with Verdant Productions on major stage adaptations including Trainspotting, The Spinning Heart, Signatories, King Lear, Hamlet and Borstal Boy at The Gaiety Theatre.
Her wider experience includes Front of House Duty Manager at the Tivoli Theatre and
Kerry brings strong expertise in production management, touring logistics, stakeholder coordination and audience-focused delivery, with a particular interest in supporting ambitious Irish work to reach wide and diverse audiences.