There was a childhood and a cul de sac. There were woods and grass and a steep driveway. There were hardwood floors and linoleum floors, carpet, and smooth concrete in the garage. There was a class production of Aesop’s Fables in the second grade. This was much more memorable than first communion, which also happened that year, despite having been given a 14k gold chain on that occasion. Brendan was assigned the role of Aesop. He was out, sick, for a couple of weeks during rehearsals, the flu. When he returned, one of his classmates expressed to Brendan his concern that the student who had been assigned to fill in, in his absence, was actually going to have to perform the role. Brendan took his classmate’s concern and subsequent relief as incontrovertible proof that he was born for the stage, and 30 plus years later no amount of evidence provided by the outside world can seem to change his mind. He hopes to be able to perform for you one of these damn days.
Brendan Donaldson is a founding member of The Gift Theatre. He lives and works in New York.
New York theatre credits include: The Complete and Condensed Stage Directions of Eugene O’Neill, vol. 1, The New York Neofuturists/Arena Stage (Drama Desk Nomination), Prophecy with Kathleen Chalfant, New York Theatre Workshop, and The Luck of the Ibis at Shelby Company.
Chicago theatre credits include: The Wooden Breeks at Lookingglass Theatre, and The Violet Hour at Steppenwolf Theatre. The Gift productions include Streamers, Three Sisters, Long Days Journey into Night, The Glass Menagerie, Pavilion, and Hurlyburly. Brendan directed The Clearing for The Gift in 2006.
Film: The Hunter and The Swan Discuss Their Meeting (Sundance, 2011), Audience Award Winner (Chicago Film Fest, 2008), The Amityville Horror, and The Ice Harvest.
TV: Law & Order: SVU (NBC), Deception (NBC), The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (Division), The Accidental Wolf (Topic).
Training: Rocky Hill Elementary, The School at Steppenwolf, Indiana University, Mary Ann Thebus, Jeff Perry, and Rob Clare.