Biography

Joanne Timmins is considered to be a most original, committed, disciplined and intelligent young theatre director, and a name to watch. She is committed to producing the highest quality theatre for children and young people.

In 2003, Jo graduated from Queen Margaret University College with a first class honours degree in Drama and Theatre Arts. Her specific interest is in children’s theatre, and according to one of the leading drama tutors in Scotland “we have not seen her like in this sector of theatre for many years”.

Jo, now based in Edinburgh, has lived in Scotland for the past 18 years. In 2004 she set up her own theatre company Cat in a Cup to develop and direct original theatre productions for children. One of the productions, Such is Nature, was a hugh success, most recently at Baboro, the largest theatre festival for children in Ireland. The piece was described by the Scottish Playwrights Studio as one of the most acclaimed plays produced in Scotland over the last two years. She is considered by many in the sector to be the outstanding new talent in the area of performing arts for children and young people.

How the Award Helped

Jo is currently Director in Residence with Imaginate. In this role, she will develop a process and aesthetic to inspire future children’s theatre. It is for this work that the Dewar Arts Award is supporting Jo.

Since the Award