2010 Awardee: Deborah Hannan
I am overwhelmed by the award and the opportunities and possibilities it presents me with. I cannot overstate my gratitude to the panel, nor the degree to which this award profoundly and richly alters my life.
Biography
Born and brought up in Edinburgh, Deborah graduated in 2009 from Edinburgh University with a first-class degree in English Literature. While still an undergraduate she was actively involved in making theatre, primarily with the unfunded Edinburgh University group Theatre Paradok. Her ambition is to establish herself in Scotland as a theatre director.
After graduation, Deborah joined a two-year programme with the Traverse Young Writers’ Group where she wrote several short scripts and had a piece workshopped as part of their ‘First Bite’ script development. She is considered to be both an exceptionally talented and intelligent dramatist emerging onto the Scottish theatre scene. Her work is seen to be distinctive, with a strong commitment to experiment and risk-taking.
Deborah received an award from the Edinburgh University Department of English Literature to create a large site-specific version of the Grimm’s Fairy Tales in Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall. The panel included Ben Harrison and Douglas Maxwell of Grid Iron. She has had a long-term connection with the circus troupe Te Roaka.
How the Award Helped
The Dewar Arts Award assists Deborah to study for an MA in Directing at RSAMD, Glasgow.
Since the Award
Deborah graduated with an MA in Directing with a well-deserved distinction. Deborah describes her year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly ‘RSAMD’) as ‘long and fruitful’ which took her from having an ambition to be a director to becoming one. She is considered to be an intelligent, creative and original director who has a bright future ahead of her.
I am overwhelmed by the award and the opportunities and possibilities it presents me with. I cannot overstate my gratitude to the panel, nor the degree to which this award profoundly and richly alters my life.