About DAVID L. PATERSON

David began his writing career while living in London England. He was training in stage combat with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts at the time. David's first play, OFFENDING SHADOWS, was produced at the University of London.

Since returning to the United States, David relocated to New York to pursue his acting and writing career. In between acting gigs, two National tours and a four year stint as a recurring role on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, David has managed to complete over twenty five full-length plays, including PHOENIX DESCENDING, GRACE UNDER PRESSURE and CERRADO.

He's completed over a dozen one-acts including SHADES OF AUTUMN and CHUTES, which received their World premieres at THE PLAYERS and were published through SAMUEL FRENCH, Inc. This February marks the World Premiere of his play, THE BLONDE, at the Blue Heron Theatre.

David has also published DUNGEONS, PIECES OF THE SKY and FINGER PAINTING IN A MURPHYBED, STONE THE CROWS, THE KING'S HORSES and THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS through SAMUEL FRENCH and has seen productions of his done all across the US and in three countries.
Kevin Hagen and Rob Skolits in the Players production of Shades of Autumn.  Directed by Sarala Dee.    
PIECES OF THE SKY received its New York premiere through URBAN STAGES with glowing in the New York Village Voice and Time Out Magazine. FINGER PAINTING IN A MURPHYBED received it's New York premiere at the Actor's Studio and David's play, STONE THE CROWS, received it's world premiere at the Groton Regional Theatre in Connecticut with exceptional . His musical adaptation of THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS, opened on Broadway for a limited run at The New Victory Theater on 42nd Street to great reviews and subsequently toured. GILLY is now slated for an Off-Broadway open commercial run in the fall of 2004.

Briant Wells and Jase Draper in GROVE THEATRE CENTER'S world premiere of FINGERPAINTING IN A MURPHYBED
An adjunct professor with NYIT in Manhattan, A freelance writer for the New York Times and Readers Digest, David is on record as the only playwright ever to have premiered three plays in NYC within one month. He is also a two-time finalist for Actor Theater of Louisville's 10 Minute Play contest, a finalist for SUNDANCE's new play series, a winner of an ED Press award as well as the winner of Urban Stages Emerging Playwright Award. He is also a proud member of Engine Company 1, of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department.
 David's memoirs as a rescue worker at Ground Zero during the World Trade Center Disaster was published last fall with proceeds to benefit the Twin Towers Relief fund.

David recently completed his sixth screenplay, BUZZCUT. He's sold his film, ONE WAY, PLANET EARTH, to Nickelodeon Movies, and optioned two film shorts to SHOWTIME Entertainment. He has optioned his play FINGERPAINTING IN A MURPHYBED for a film to be shot this Spring and is currently working on a screenplay adaptation of the novel, THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA.