David Geary (Nga Mahanga, Taranaki) grew up in Rangiwahia, a small village in the Manawatu hill country. His first experiences of theatre were listening to the shearers spin yarns in his fathers gang. A Palmerston North Boys High old boy, he was persuaded to pursue law at Victoria University by the Paper Chase TV program, his school teacher Mum and an encounter in an Ohakune caravan. At Victoria, David discovered Bill Manhire´s creative writing course, theatre studies and the University Drama Club, for whom he wrote several experimental short plays.
David then applied to Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School, studying as an actor, and graduating in 1987. Since then, David has continued to be an allrounder; writing, directing and acting for theatre, television and film. He co-authored short satires before his first full-length play Kandy Cigarettes was workshopped at the 1988 Playmarket Conference. In 1991, his comedy about a womans rugby team Pack of Girls premiered at Downstage, and became a national hit in both professional and amateur theatre. 1991 also saw David win the Bruce Mason Award for Most Promising Playwright.
In 1992, Lovelocks Dream Run wasa workshopped at the Australian and NZ Playwrights Conference in Canberra. It premiered at the Auckland Theatre Company to critical acclaim, with further productions throughout the country and in Australia. Victoria University Press published the play in 1993. It is studied in several New Zealand Universities, and is popular with high schools.
David received further success with The Learners Stand and The Farm and collaborated with Mick Rose and Tim Spite to create Backstage with the Quigleys and The Rabbiter´s Daughter. With a youth audience in mind, David wrote King of Stains, a short play which completed a return season at BATS Theatre in June 2004 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Young & Hungry initiative.
In recent years, David has moved into teaching storytelling and scriptwriting. David currently divides his time between New Zealand and Canada. His short play Menu Turistico was performed at the Walking Fish Festival in Vancouver, 2004.
For NZ television, David co-wrote and co-directed the 1991 TV documentary The Smell of Money, which won a NZ Film Accolade. He worked as a storyliner and scriptwriter for the popular television series Shortland Street, Jacksons Wharf, Mercy Peak and Hard Out.
In 2003, David branched out into fiction, with VUP publishing his short story collection A Man of the People. Hes currently completing a novel; working on two new plays; and is developing film projects. His work is characterised by powerful dramatic action, strong comic elements and a dark satirical streak.