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.

Biography

An actor from Glasgow, Luke comes from a family of tradespeople. He is the first in his family to pursue a career in the arts.

Luke was a member of the ‘Young Co.’ at Citizens Theatre.  He proved himself to be committed and conscientious, and took part in a production that toured around Glasgow Secondary Schools.

Luke has been described by his tutors as having an excellent natural instinct for performance and an edge that makes him interesting to watch.

As an aspiring actor, Luke applied to Rose Bruford College in London.  He felt that the focus on both theatre and film offered a good fit for his personality, style and ambitions.  He was successful in his application – a mark of his strong skillset and potential.

Over the longer term, Luke aims to move back to Scotland to support the development of the Scottish theatre sector.

How the Award Helped

Biography

Ewan was born in the Scottish Highlands and moved between parents on the East and West Coast of Scotland whilst growing up. In his final year of secondary school he made the move to Ullapool, where he was introduced to acting in a production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This proved to be a life-changing experience for Ewan, who found such resonance in his role as an actor that this resulted in a shift of mind set and a new trajectory for his ambitions.

Ewan auditioned for the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), and although he reached the final stage of auditions, he was encouraged to gain a little more life experience first. In response to this suggestion, Ewan completed a one year course at Telford College in Edinburgh, then worked with the Scottish Youth Theatre and Mary McCluskey, touring around Scotland with a show written by Brian Cosgrove. After the tour, Ewan completed an Honours Degree whilst working to support himself in his studies.

After an intense audition season in 2017/18, Ewan gained places and scholarships to many of the UK’s top drama schools. He chose to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and having continued to develop his technique as an actor has been recognised as an exceptional student by his teachers:

‘From the second that Ewan arrived at RCS it was clear that he was very talented, committed, extremely reliable, and hardworking student – he stood out immediately. He is an exceptional student and wonderful person and he is a joy to work with. He is a real artist.’ – Katya Kamotskaia, Acting Lecturer, RCS

Ewan has also performed the leading role in a short film that has experienced some international success and continues to look for roles that challenge and develop his playing diversity, a challenge that he is enjoying at drama school. The director of SKIN (2017), Alasdair Boyce, stated:

‘Ewan very quickly grasped the complexities of the character and was able to adeptly interpret them into his performance. Despite a primarily stage based background Ewan adapted very quickly to the process of acting for screen. I was initially concerned that his performance may be too theatrical for the sullen and brooding fisherman but Ewan very quickly dispelled these concerns by delivering a masterfully understated performance in which he very convincingly and emotively managed to say everything without saying anything – a technique that I find crucial to dramatic realism.’

Ewan is now set on achieving his unwavering ambition to become a professional and versatile Scottish actor for film, stage and television.

How the Award Helped

Ewan received a Dewar Arts Award to support him in his studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

He says;

‘This award has provided me with what I have always desired: the ability to work tirelessly and completely on becoming a professional actor and the skillset that I see necessary for this. It has removed the pressures that can be added by life and, in place of them, given me freedom and space to focus all of my energy on the work. Being given this opportunity, after having to wait with burning ambitions, means so much to me that I am deeply moved whenever I spend any time thinking about it. It is both rare and wonderful and so deeply appreciated. It is actually very difficult to put into words how it feels. I just look forward to showing how I have used the resulting freedom, space and time provided by the award as it is already having such an enormous influence on the craft I am developing at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.’

Biography

From a young age, Alexander Arran Cowan demonstrated talent and dedication to the performing arts in Scotland. His passion for acting started when he was just eight years old with Borders Youth Theatre, where he played many lead roles. He later joined promenade theatre company, Shakespeare-at-Traquair gaining experience of drama workshops and performances. By the age of 12 Alexander had appeared on the Smile TV show on CBBC and in a Scottish BAFTA nominated short film which toured festivals around the UK and Europe.

In addition to his love of theatre, Alexander became a keen filmmaker. He joined the highly-acclaimed youth film project, Voice Of My Own, and performed in dramas and sketch shows. His passion for acting led him to Performing Arts Studio Scotland at Edinburgh College, where he entertained audiences as Aegeus in the Greek classic Medea and as Detective Sergeant Emmanuel Prodd in David Kane’s farce Grave Plots.  He was awarded a Higher National Diploma and gained the chance to learn from leading industry professionals including Game of Thrones actor John Stahl.

As a young adult, Alexander gained an agent and was awarded professional work on projects for ITV, NHS and in commercial advertising.  In 2018, he was offered a highly coveted place with Project A at the Newcastle Theatre Royal. This full time, professional actor training programme selects only the most talented individuals who show the greatest potential. Through Project A, Alexander has gained the chance to work with Michael Corbidge (Royal Shakespeare Company), Ros Steen (former head of voice at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), and Newcastle-based dance company Ballet Lorent.

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How the Award Helped

Alexander received an Award to support him in applying himself fully to his work with Project A.  He writes;

‘My Dewar Arts Award has helped me to completely focus on my studies and make the best use of this incredible opportunity. In addition to working with an amazing list of industry professionals, this award has enabled me to attend extracurricular theatre trips to increase my learning and understanding of professional performance. The trustees’ faith in my ability has not only increased my self-confidence but also my chances of success as a professional actor. I have been able to prioritise my learning, develop as an actor and stand a much greater chance of reaching my potential. Without this award I may not have been in a position to take up this opportunity. Therefore, I am incredibly grateful for this support and the opportunities it has given.’

Since the Award

Update June 2019:

‘The course has been in full swing for ten months now. I have had an incredible time, met amazing people, and learned so much in the process.

We have started rehearsals for our end of course performance. We are performing Bertolt Brecht’s ‘Fear and Misery of the Third Reich’. It takes place in pre-war Nazi Germany and follows the lives of different characters trying to find their place in an ever changing fascist state.

It has been an incredible process so far and I am getting the chance to put everything I have learned this year into practice.’

Biography

Conor is an actor hailing from Glasgow.  During his time with the Kings Theatre’s Attic Collective, he took part in three productions on the Edinburgh King’s stage.  This included the World Premiere of Jo Clifford’s ‘War In America’, which became a published play with the original casts names.

Conor was part of Open Door Year One, which helped working class actors with audition fees and tutoring at drama school. Conor successfully auditioned for Guildhall to study a BA in Acting.

How the Award Helped

Biography

From a young age, Grace had passion and talent for acting.  This was nurtured by classes at the Moray Steiner School (now the Drumduan School), by becoming a member of the Scottish Ballet Junior Associate Scheme and by auditioning successfully for the Eden Court Young Dance Company for 5 years consecutively.

Grace’s training also includes LAMDA syllabus acting exams and shows, productions with Youth Music Theatre UK, and being a company member of the Eden Court Collective for the National Theatre of Scotland Exchange Festival 2016. Grace has experience as a young company member for Ballet L’orent and the Rosie Kay Dance Company.

In 2017, Grace became a member of the inaugural Scottish Youth Theatre National Ensemble, where she had the opportunity to train with Frantic Assembly, fight director James McReady, devise and write a show with BAFTA award-winning writer David Cosgrove, and take a Shakespearean masterclass with Scottish Youth Theatre artistic director Mary McCluskey.

As a member of the National Youth Arts Advisory Group (working in conjunction with Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government), Grace developed her commitment to young people’s progression in and through the arts, and to the ‘Time to Shine’ National Youth Arts Strategy.  Her ambition is to continue her training in acting and physical theatre, and go on to teach and facilitate.

How the Award Helped

Biography

Raised in a small village called Uplawmoor near Glasgow, Matt joined PACE Youth theatre when he was 8. Although personal challenges led him to leave at 13, he rediscovered his love for acting when he played Vladimir in ‘Waiting for Godot’ during Higher Drama. His teacher told him he should pursue a career in the arts, and spurred on by this Matt trained on the HND Acting and Performance Course at Langside College.  There he gained experience in performing in shows such as ‘Once In a Lifetime’ and ‘Plaza Suite’, creating theatre for children and learning about the industry.

Towards the end of his HND course, Matt successfully auditioned for the lead role as Narrator in Tron Theatre’s production of ‘Under Milk Wood’, performed as part of the Commonwealth Season. This cemented him ambition to become a professional actor.  Following this, Matt gained a place to study at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, taking him a step closer to realising his ambitions.

How the Award Helped