World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Joe Gulla

ジョー・グッラ

Joe Gulla

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1964-07-23 （Bronx, New York, United States）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English

Career

Occupations
playwright, actor, reality television participant, monologist
Active Years
1990-
Affiliations
Dramatists Guild
Memberships
Dramatists Guild
Influenced By
Spalding Gray

Education

Cardinal Spellman High School (New York City)
Period: 〜1982
Year of Graduation: 1982
Country: United States
State University at Albany (SUNY Albany)
Country: United States
Attended then transferred to Fordham University
Fordham University (Rose Hill)
Country: United States
Attended; post-graduate study also noted
Circle Repertory (study)
Period: 研修
Country: United States
Theatrical study in New York

Awards

Christopher Hewitt Award (Drama)
2019
Work: My Darling Love
Organization: Christopher Hewitt Award
Result: 受賞
Carlo Annoni Award (Special Mention)
2019
Work: Sleeping With The Fish
Category: 特別言及
Organization: Carlo Annoni Prize
Result: 受賞（特別言及）
Last Frontier Theatre Conference Selectee
2019
Work: Reel Wood
Organization: Last Frontier Theatre Conference
Result: 選出
Downtown Urban Arts Festival Audience Award
2018
Work: GAY.PORN.MAFIA
Category: 観客賞
Organization: Downtown Urban Arts Festival
Result: 受賞
Downtown Urban Arts Festival Audience Award
2017
Work: Garbo
Category: 観客賞
Organization: Downtown Urban Arts Festival
Result: 受賞
Downtown Urban Arts Festival Audience Award
2016
Work: The Bronx Queen
Category: 観客賞
Organization: Downtown Urban Arts Festival
Result: 受賞
United Solo Award for Best Comedian
2016
Work: Daddy
Category: 演者賞
Organization: United Solo Theatre Festival
Result: 受賞
Acadia University Mini Fest Best Play
2016
Work: Fall and Rise
Category: 最優秀戯曲
Organization: Acadia University
Result: 受賞
United Solo Theatre Festival Award for Best One-Man Show Script
2015
Work: Faggy at 50
Category: 脚本賞
Organization: United Solo Theatre Festival
Result: 受賞
United Solo Theatre Festival Award for Most Popular Show Script
2014
Work: The Bronx Queen
Category: 人気賞
Organization: United Solo Theatre Festival
Result: 受賞
United Solo Theatre Festival Award for Best Comedic Script
2013
Work: The Bronx Queen
Category: 脚本賞
Organization: United Solo Theatre Festival
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Garbo

2011 Theatre (play)

A play inspired by an unrequited love experienced while living in Rome; performed as a solo piece.

love and unrequited affectionexperience abroadself-discovery

The Bronx Queen

2012 One-man show / Monologue

An autobiographical monologue about growing up gay in the Bronx, blending humor and poignant family stories.

familycoming-of-ageLGBTQlife in the Bronx

Faggy at 50

2014 One-man show / Monologue

A humorous, reflective monologue that follows the protagonist at age 50.

age and identityhumorLGBTQ

Daddy

2015 One-man show / Monologue

A piece that explores the relationship with the father and family history; presented as the final installment of a trilogy.

family relationshipsparenthoodreconciliation

Reel Wood

2015 Short play

A short play that premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival and was featured in various series.

familymedia/film metaphors

Knock Off!

2016 Play / short play

A play that had its world premiere in Houston at Theatre Southwest.

satirehuman relationships

GAY.PORN.MAFIA

2018 Theatre (black comedy elements)

A play mixing social themes and humor; won the Audience Award at the Downtown Urban Arts Festival.

community and desiresatireLGBTQ community

Christmas Caroline

2015 Theatre / holiday play

A holiday-themed short play that premiered at Studio C Theatre in Hollywood.

familyholiday drama

Gayfever

2016 Play

A play that had its world premiere at the Funky Little Theatre Company.

identitycommunity

Fall and Rise

2016 One-act play

Performed at several festivals; awarded Best Play at Acadia University's Mini Fest.

resiliencechallenge

Sleeping With The Fish

2016 Short play

A short play presented in Village Playwrights' Pride series; received a Carlo Annoni Award special mention.

pride/acceptancefamily

My Darling Love

2019 Theatre / play

A play with autobiographical elements; won the 2019 Christopher Hewitt Award for Drama.

loverecollectionfamily

Members Only

2020 Theatre

A recent play produced by Almost Adults Productions.

communityexclusivity

Bibliography

  • Garbo
  • The Bronx Queen
  • Faggy at 50
  • Daddy
  • Reel Wood
  • Knock Off!
  • GAY.PORN.MAFIA
  • Christmas Caroline
  • Gayfever
  • Fall and Rise
  • Sleeping With The Fish
  • My Darling Love
  • Members Only

Adaptations

  • Off-Broadway performances; runs at Joe's Pub and Feinstein's/54 Below

Style & Themes

Literary Style
monologue-driven narrationautobiographical and retrospective styleblend of humor and sentiment
Recurring Motifs
family historyBronx settingsItalian-American cultureidentity and acceptance

Legacy

Joe Gulla is a playwright and performer known for autobiographical monologues about growing up in the Bronx. He has been lauded in Off-Broadway and festival circuits in the U.S., influencing audiences with a mix of comedy and pathos and contributing to LGBTQ storytelling.

In Popular Culture

  • Contestant on NBC adventure reality series Lost (2001)

Quotes

  • The Bronx Queen is presented in the tradition of Spalding Gray; Gulla comes off as a warm and wise storyteller.
    Source: Bistro Awards / Broadway World (reviews) (2016)
  • The Bronx Queen populates its story with family and neighborhood characters in a comic and touching way—Joe Gulla is a master storyteller.
    Source: Broadway World (review) (2012)

Trivia

  • Appeared on NBC reality show Lost in 2001.
  • Lived in Rome, Italy from 2007 to 2010; experiences there inspired Garbo.
  • Named an "Anti-Bullying Hero" by The Advocate in 2012.
  • Known for solo-monologue performances; regular performer at Joe's Pub and Feinstein's/54 Below.