Previously, she was the Artistic Director of the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh (January 2012 – December 2018.)
Prior to her time at the Traverse, Orla was Artistic Director of Pentabus Theatre and the International Associate at The Royal Court.
She is a regular subject for print and digital media and has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, The Today Programme and was the subject of the BBC Radio Documentary Stark Talk covering her life and work.
Orla continues to deliver masterclasses and workshops across the world and has sat on a range of award panels including: James Tait Black Award for Drama, Windham Campbell and the Linbury Prize.
(Young Vic) • The Hound of the Baskervilles (West Yorkshire Playhouse, National Tour and West End) • Shuffle (Merry Hill Shopping Centre) • Underland (Clearwell Caves) • A Dulditch Angel (National Tour) • The Fire Raisers (BAC) Her work has won a range of Fringe Firsts, Herald Angels and Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland and she is previous winner of the James Menzies Kitchin Directors Award and recipient of the Carlton Bursary at the Donmar Warehouse.