Richard Nyeila

Richard Nyeila is an award winning theatre director/producer. He has over twenty years solid experience in all aspects of a theatre and a range of production platforms with established & new performers /contributors.

He is a recipient of the Barclays New Stages Award for his British Adaptation of the George Wolf’s classic satire ‘The Colored Museum’.

It first played a sold out run at London’s famous Hackney Empire and then toured nationally. He also received the Eclipse Award for his work at the Nottingham playhouse developing new work and new actors, some of whom can now be seen regularly on stage and television.

Richard is BBC trained in TV & film production and also spent time with the BBC as a script editor in the comedy development department. He was also a script editor for the BBC’s comedy sketch show ‘The Real McKoy’ which ran for six seasons. Richard produced & directed the first live stage production of The Real McKoy at the Hackney Empire (sold out 5 nights)

As a playwright Richard has written many produced plays that have been well received at theatres including the Deptford Albany, Lewisham Theatre, Fairfields Hall (London) The Drum, (Birmingham) and The Crucible (Sheffield).

He was commissioned to write ‘Celia’ a slave girls story which played at The New Players Theatre in the West End. The piece was directed by Malcom Fredericks, the cast featured Victor Romero Evans, Wil Johnson, Shango Baku & Glenna Forster -Jones.

Richard has also produced many comedy shows that have played major venues including the Alexander Theatre, (Birmingham) Hackney Empire, Lewisham Theatre and the Indigo at the O2.

Richards’ skills in production marketing were recognised by the Arts Council, one of the more notable organisations who have engaged his marketing services.

Credits

BLACK ARTS PRODUCTION THEATRE, Unit 8 Enterprise Building, Bernie Grant Arts Centre
Visiting Director working with drama classes and theatre pieces
Directed a series of sketches for a production entitled 'Bring Back The love July 2019

FREESTREET ENTERTAINMENT LTD Aug - Nov 2008
Directed comedy sketch show ‘DisShoodbeOnTV’ filmed @ Hackney Empire & feat Richard Blackwood, Jimmy Akingbola,
(toured London & Birmingham)

WORD OF MOUTH PRODUCTIONS May 2008
Commissioned to write ‘Celia’ a slave girls story @New Players Theatre, West End feat. Victor Romero Evans & Wil Johnson directed by Malcom Fredericks (3 week run)

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE, Oct 2008 - April 2009
Wellington Circus, Nottingham, NG1 5AF
Direction & Dramaturgy for comedy sketch show ‘Pieces’ for Nottingham Playhouse working with new young performers (received Eclipse Award)


Script Editor Comedy Development Unit
BBC TV CENTRE Wood Lane, White City
(June 1992 – March 1995)
Achievements and responsibilities:

Script Editor BBC2s' The Real McCoy
DIRECTED a series of workshops designed to create material

Developed material with producer/performers,
Assisted in the development of new writers
Assessed material for quality and suitability for TV
Assured scripts fit budget and were completed to deadline

Also jointly responsible (within Comedy Development Unit) for the general development of comedy for BBC 1 & 2


CO-PRODUCED & DIRECTED
‘The Motown Story’ a Musical played Bloomsbury Theatre & Deptford Albany (co-production with Deptford Albany)

‘The Real McCoy’ BBC 2 sketch show stage version @ Hackney Empire (1 week run)

‘The Colored Museum’ by George Wolfe UK tour British adaptation
(Arts Council funded Received Barclay’s New Stages Award)
national tour
DIRECTED
‘Hymns 2 Hip Hop’ a Gospel musical @ Deptford Albany with community church based cast

Training

Table to Floor - Releasing the Director with Sue Dunderdale
Monday 23 September The Young Vic

Movement Directing Workshop with Rachael Nanyonjo
Monday 29 July Young Vic

Professional Development Certificate Film/TV Drama
(October 2003 –June 2004)
(BTEC) (Directing & Screenwriting) @ South Thames College
Developed film/TV production skills, critical awareness & specialist skills in screenwriting and directing