2020 Awardee: James Lyon
"Being a recipient of the Dewar Arts Award made it possible to fulfil a lifelong ambition to study acting. Their support of Scottish artists, especially during this difficult & uncertain time, is incredible. I promise to return their generosity by helping to enable the next generation of artist in Scotland & beyond."
Biography
James Lyon was born and bred in the Kingdom of Fife. He first “got the acting bug” aged five as Joseph in his school Nativity, before “ascending to play such prestigious roles as Burntisland’s local Pantomime Dame” in his teenage years.
Curious about life beyond Fife, James completed a voluntary year abroad in Uganda teaching English as a second language. He also ran an after-school Drama club where he introduced Ugandan students to the wonders of Ceilidh dancing and Robert Burn, before returning to the school Nativity as Director.
James returned to Europe in 2014 to persue his other passion of Physics, studying at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. He rediscovered his love of acting through the University’s Theatre Society.
On graduating, James moved to Shanghai to teach English. Whilst abroad he continued to act, re-affirming his commitment to pursuing a career as an actor.
James returned to Fife in 2019 to audition and save-up money for drama school whilst also becoming a member of the Scottish Youth Theatre’s 2020 National Ensemble. He went on to gain a place to study acting at the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
For the future, James’s ambitions are to forge a successful and fulfilling career as an actor. Alongside winning awards, he would love to return to teaching and to use drama as a means of delivering a range of positive social and cultural benefits.
How the Award Helped
James was able to graduate from the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art thanks to receiving a Dewar Arts Award.
"Being a recipient of the Dewar Arts Award made it possible to fulfil a lifelong ambition to study acting. Their support of Scottish artists, especially during this difficult & uncertain time, is incredible. I promise to return their generosity by helping to enable the next generation of artist in Scotland & beyond."