Princess Grace Statue Award, 1987
PAUL WARNER
Princess Grace Award
Theater Apprenticeship, 1986
Second Stage Theatre
Additional Grants:
• Spring 2015-2016 Professional Development Grant
• 2012 Works in Progress Residency Award
Paul Warner has directed more than fifty stage productions and numerous films, including the award-winning short “IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER”, as well as the feature, “FALL TIME,” (Lionsgate/Artisan) starring Mickey Rourke, Stephen Baldwin, Sheryl Lee, David Arquette, and Jason London, which premiered in competition at the Sundance Film Festival (and subsequently, OUTFEST) where it was nominated for The Grand Jury Prize. “IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER”, starring British stalwart Trevor Eve, also premiered at Sundance and garnered numerous awards, including: The Cine Golden Eagle, the Gold Hugo Award from the Chicago International Film Festival, first place at The British International Film and Video Festival, and best cinematography at The Atlanta Film and Video Festival. In July he will guest direct sequences of the rockumentary feature, GIRL WITHOUT A PLANET, followed by two new films–TRANSFER AT AACHEN, scheduled to begin principle photography in Europe in early 2013, and RECLAIMING EDEN, which he co-wrote. Screenwriting credits include, “BEYOND THE PALE,” “FALL TIME (revisions),” and “VEGAS RUN.” Most recently, he directed the actors and served as Executive Creative Consultant for artist David Michalek’s PORTRAITS IN DRAMATIC TIME–a series of slow motion cinematic shorts featuring seminal performers of stage and screen, including: Holly Hunter, Patti Lupone, Lily Taylor, Alan Rickman, Roger Rees, Liev Schreiber, and William H. Macy, as well as influential multi-disciplinary artists from around the world. PORTRAITS premiered in July of 2011 at The Lincoln Center Festival. Next, he will direct the New York premiere of his chamber opera, CHINESE CABARET (music by Peter Rogers Melnick) starring the celebrated Chinese Opera star, Qian Yi (PEONY PAVILLION, Lincoln Center), followed by TRANSFER AT AACHEN and RECLAIMING EDEN. Most recently, he executive produced THE PURITANS which is now in post-production.
Warner has won numerous awards and directing fellowships, including a grant from The Princess Grace Foundation and Drama League of New York, which enabled him to serve as The Artistic Associate/Resident Director of New York’s Second Stage, during which time he directed “OUT IN AMERICA,” starring Daryl Hannah and Stephen Baldwin. During his tenure, he assisted on revivals of Lanford Wilson’s “LEMON SKY” starring Cynthia Nixon and Jeff Daniels, as well as Tina Howe’s “COASTAL DISTURBANCES” with Annette Bening. Warner is a recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Foundation Statue Award and a Cite-Read grant from The Drama League, which enabled him to direct the North American premiere of Nelson Rodrigues’ “WEDDING DRESS.” Warner’s production garnered seven Drama-Logue/Ovation Awards, including best direction. He often works with new playwrights, and is particularly proud of his collaboration with Gary Sunshine on the world premiere of MERCURY, produced by Eve Ensler (“THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES”) at HERE Arts Center in NYC. Most recently Warner was the subject of a FUJI TELEVISION special.
Warner began his film-directing career by assisting mentors Fred Schepisi (“ROXANNE”/”A CRY IN THE DARK”/”PLENTY”) Dan Melnick, and Ed Zwick (“GLORY”/”BLOOD DIAMOND”/”DEFIANCE”). The latter encouraged him to attend the American Film Institute, from which he graduated with an M.F.A in filmmaking and the Ashley Amulis Fellowship for directing. He is also a graduate of Harvard University (B.A.) and The Phillips Exeter Academy. Warner has taught directing, writing, and acting at NYU, SVA, NYFA, and SUNY Purchase as well as at The Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.