The Donald Windham Sandy M. Campbell Literature Prizes
1 appearances
-
Edition 12 (2024) Winner
Sonya Kelly
ソーニャ・ケリー
Sonya Kelly
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- Dublin, Ireland
- Nationality
- Irish
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Dublin
Career
- Occupations
- Playwright, Screenwriter
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity College Dublin | Drama and Classics | Drama and Classics | — | — | Ireland |
Trinity College Dublin
Drama and Classics
/ Drama and Classics
Country:
Ireland
Studied drama and classics
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Scotsman Fringe First | The Wheelchair on My Face | — | The Scotsman | 受賞 |
| 2022 | Scotsman Fringe First | The Last Return | — | The Scotsman | 受賞 |
| 2024 | Windham–Campbell Prize (Drama) | — | Drama | Windham–Campbell Prizes | 受賞 |
Scotsman Fringe First
Work:
The Wheelchair on My Face
Organization:
The Scotsman
Result:
受賞
Scotsman Fringe First
2022
Work:
The Last Return
Organization:
The Scotsman
Result:
受賞
Windham–Campbell Prize (Drama)
2024
Category:
Drama
Organization:
Windham–Campbell Prizes
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Wheelchair on My Face
Play/DramaA largely autobiographical solo piece performed by the author, positioned between theatre and comedy.
AutobiographyHumorIdentity
How to Keep an Alien
2015 Play (autobiographical solo/romantic comedy)An autobiographical solo show that humorously explores the experience of an international couple dealing with visa issues.
MigrationFamilyRomanceImmigration law (visas)
Furniture
Play/DramaOne of her first plays written for other actors, exploring relationships and everyday life with sharpness.
RelationshipsEveryday life
Once Upon a Bridge
2021 Play/DramaA play where three worlds collide around a near-death experience; drew critical attention.
Life and deathReality vs. imaginationIntersecting lives
The Last Return
2022 Play/DramaA play that critiques Western imperialism and power structures via the etiquette of queuing; notable production by Druid theatre company.
Critique of imperialismSocial behaviorPower
Bibliography
- The Wheelchair on My Face
- How to Keep an Alien
- Furniture
- Once Upon a Bridge
- The Last Return
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Autobiographical, self-performing solo pieces combined with structured playwritingContemporary conversational style with humor
- Recurring Motifs
- Migration and visa issuesFamily and intimacySocial critique through humor
Legacy
Recognized as a playwright who fuses autobiographical solo performance with social critique in contemporary Irish theatre. She has received recognition at Edinburgh Fringe and internationally with the Windham–Campbell Prize.
Quotes
-
"Despair is your friend. If you're not worried, how do you know what you're aiming for?"
Source: Irish Independent (interview) (2022)
Trivia
- Her uncle was actor Frank Kelly.
- Lives in Dublin with her Australian wife Kate.
- Their daughter Juno was born in 2021.