سيرة
Helene Kvale is a director, actor, writer, and educator. She began her career as a stage, television, and film actor in London before joining the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Connecticut, where she taught BFA Acting. She has directed productions at the Connecticut Repertory Theater and founded the Bated Breath Theatre Company, serving as its artistic director. Helene is currently directing, writing, and producing the feature documentary film The Loom, executive produced by James Ivory in association with Ma.Ja.De., and produced by Cynthia Kane, Nick Stuart, with co-direction and production by Adam Briscoe. The film is scheduled for release in 2026. Following the release, she will join the faculty at Princeton University.
Helene earned a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science, then completed her postgraduate acting diploma at The Drama Studio, London. As an actor, she has performed on the West End in productions such as Burning Blue (which won two Olivier Awards), Life During Wartime, and To Kill A Mockingbird. Her extensive regional and touring credits include The Secret Rapture, Roman and Marys, Diary of Anne Frank, Getting Out, Brand, Canadian Gothic, and Sexual Perversity in Chicago. She was a member of the National Theatre Company, performing as Lady Anne opposite Ian McKellen in Richard III, and in King Lear with Brian Cox, as well as Napoli Milionaria. At the NT Studio, she appeared alongside Ray Winstone in Shift and in Gitta's Atonement, directed by Brian Cox. Her television appearances include Prime Suspect 4, Soldier Soldier, Daddy's Girl, London Bridge, This Life, Deceit, Lovejoy, and The Bill. Film credits include Tomorrow La Scala! (BAFTA-nominated), Talk, and 5:45.
In addition to acting, Helene is a screenwriter and theater director. She co-wrote the independent films Burning Blue (distributed by Lionsgate in 2014) and When You're Not Looking (currently in development). She translated Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House and co-wrote The Parkville Project for Bated Breath Theatre Company. As the founding Artistic Director of Bated Breath, she produced, conceived, and directed Hunger, The Parkville Project, and her translation of A Doll’s House. Helene has directed Eurydice, Big Love, Pride and Prejudice, Too Much Memory, The Skin of Our Teeth, and Gut Girls for the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, as well as Marat/Sade. She is an alumna of The Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab and a proud member of both Equity and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).
