Singer · Actor · Composer · Writer · Diva
LATEST NEWS
Karen's Theatre News!
Karen's new play Warrior is due to be presented live in October 2023. Watch out for further news and details about this exciting new show!
Warrior was initially scheduled for a theatre presentation in 2021 but was postponed due to the pandemic. In a thoughtful 'pivot', the imaginative new work was then filmed at Mermaid Arts Centre, Co Wicklow and was successfully presented online in March-April, 2022 in partnership with projectartscentre.ie, mermaidartscentre.ie, everymancork.com, and Karen's Finnish compatriots rakastajat.fi
"It was wonderful to see my vision come alive onscreen, and also to have a permanent record of the work. Gansee Films did an amazing job at capturing the spirit of the piece", says Karen.
Drawing on theatre, comedy and music, Warrior explores what it's like to be a patient in a medical setting.
"It was a joy to work with such a talented, creative team," says Karen, "including dramaturg Maureen White, musical director and longtime collaborator Cian Boylan, musician Damian Evans, and performers Rory Pierce, Ruth McGill."
To watch a teaser trailer of Warrior click here
This development project has been generously supported by funding from the Irish Arts Council.
Karen's Movie News!
Karen appeared on Irish cinema screens in the new Irish movie The Bright Side, in which she plays a major role. Directed by Ruth Meehan and based on the memoir by former Nuala, Anne Gildea, The Bright Side follows the fortunes of a stand-up comedian who gets breast cancer.
"It was a huge privilege to be involved in such an important film," says Karen. "I'm very excited by the project.
The Bright Side won the Audience Award when it premiered online in November, 2020, as part of the Cork Film Festival.
It also won the Jury Prize 'Honorable Mention' at the Sonoma Festival, California, March 2021.
The Bright Side enjoyed a cinema release nationwide from August 20th, 2021.
Karen's Writing News!
In 2019, Karen was commissioned by Finland's national broadcaster, YLE, to write a ten-part radio comedy series, The Choir. Broadcast in spring 2020, this faux documentary follows nine hilarious characters as they fight for the survival of their beloved choir.
This follows Karen's success in Finland with her radio play, Stuck (2017).
"Writing The Choir has been the opportunity of a lifetime," says Karen. "I'm having such fun with the characters, and rising to the challenge of a ten-parter."