David Burton is a writer from Brisbane, Queensland. By the age of 30, he'd written over two dozen professionally produced plays, published a book, and been a core part of some of the most innovative theatrical projects in Australia. He’s now 32, a Dad, and has a new YA fiction book coming out in October, 2019 from the University of Queensland Press titled The Man In The Water.
In 2014, he won the Text Prize for Children and Young Adults' Writing for his memoir How to be Happy, published in 2015. David is also known for his award-winning theatrical work, including April's Fool, a verbatim play concerning illicit teenage drug use, published by Playlab Press, Under This Sky or 'The Logan Project' for Queensland Music Festival (the largest community arts project in the world) and The Voice in the Walls at Old Government House, Brisbane. In 2016, his work St. Mary's in Exile premiered as part of the 2016 Queensland Theatre Company MainStage season. He’s gone on to write and direct Queensland Music Festival’s signature community works, including The Power Within (2017, in partnership with the Isaac Regional Council) and The Mount Isa Blast (2019, in partnership with the Mount Isa City Council).
David is also currently studying his doctorate. He continues to write theatre-in-education touring pieces of the Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe.
David also co-produced and co-wrote the critically acclaimed Hedonism's Second Album, premiering at La Boite Indie and published by Playlab Press.
His youth and education work includes plays like the young adult sci-fi adventure Orbit for Queensland Theatre Company and The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe, and The Landmine is Me, which he co-wrote with Claire Christian.
David is a frequent public speaker and MC, and is available for workshops in schools. David also works as a professional editor and teacher. David has taught for the past ten years at University of Southern Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland.
David is also a professional editor and dramaturge, and is available for consultation. He has a Bachelor in Theatre Arts from USQ and a Masters in Creative Industries (Creative Writing) from QUT. In 2014 his achievements were recognised by the University of Southern Queensland, and he was awarded with Young Alumnus and Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. He is currently studying a Doctorate of Creative Industries at QUT.