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

Biography

Born in Fife and brought up in Caithness, Philip graduated from RSAMD with a degree in digital film and television and the Paul Kelly Memorial Award. Philip possesses a wide range of talents and skills and is ‘something of a Renaissance man’ according to one of his former tutors, in that he sings, plays a musical instrument, dances, acts, aspires to direct films and speaks Gaelic.

While a student film-maker at RSAMD he was able to take part in drama workshops led by many well-known actors and directors, including Sir Richard Attenborough and James McAvoy.

As part of his degree Philip worked with actors on many film scenes as well as directing scenes in workshop. As a student film maker he has studied acting for screen techniques and while at RSAMD, wrote, directed and appeared in a number of personally-initiated projects, some of which were in the Gaelic language. Philip’s ultimate ambition is to combine acting for screen with film directing. He was accepted by Central School of Speech and Drama, London to study acting for screen.

How the Award Helped

Biography

Gourock-born Roslyn has been interested in acting since her school-days when she impressed with her natural talent. For five years, she was an active member of the Inverclyde Youth Theatre (Kayos Theatre Company), where she was cast in many leading roles to great acclaim.

While a pupil at James Watt College in Greenock Roslyn achieved an A grade in Acting and Performance and subsequently won a place at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London part-funded by a Dance and Drama Award. She is studying for both a BA in Acting and a Diploma in Professional Acting at Trinity College, London. Roslyn is considered to be a huge talent not just in acting, but also in dance and singing.

Roslyn is entering the final year of her studies at ALRA.

How the Award Helped

Biography

Paisley-born actress Danielle has toured all over Scotland with PACE Youth Theatre Company and performed at Glasgow’s SEC to thousands of primary school children. Former members of PACE include film actor James McAvoy and singer Paolo Nutini.

Dani was a member of PACE Theatre Company for over ten years and impressed as an enthusiastic, talented, diligent and determined young woman. Dani was a key figure in Renfrewshire’s ‘Take a Drink’ project, which aimed to educate secondary school pupils about the dangers of alcohol abuse. She was able to portray a believable and realistic character which won over a largely sceptical audience of young people.

Dani went on to take part in Strathclyde Police’s ‘Choices for Life’ project in 2008, aimed at young people to encourage them to make the right choices for their future. Once again, her believable and passionate performance hit the right note.

Dani’s aim is to become an actress Scotland can be proud of and has been accepted onto the degree course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

How the Award Helped

Biography

Glasgow-born Edward McGurn started his acting training at Coatbridge College where he was awarded the Ian Bannen Memorial prize for outstanding performance in his final showcase.

How the Award Helped

Biography

From Alloa, Joseph Young is a student on the degree course in acting at the Guildford School of Acting. He describes himself as a ‘driven and hungry individual’.

At the end of his second year, he won the Director’s Award and represented GSA in Stratford-upon-Avon in an all-schools workshop with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Joseph’s ultimate ambition is to work with the RSC and in film. Joseph appeared in a new play staged at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival. He has been put forward to take part in the prestigious BBC Carlton Hobbes competition.

At the start of his third year at GSA, Joseph put on his own production of “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” by Frank McGuinness and was part of the GSA of “The Shakespeare Review” which went on tour at the end of 2008.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award helps toward the costs of Joseph’s final year at GSA.

Since the Award

Biography

Dundee-born Fingal discovered a talent and passion for theatre at the age of 15, in particular for Shakespeare’s language and fantastical characters. He was a member of the National Youth Theatre from 2003-2006 and was their representative for the City of Edinburgh.

Fingal’s ideal job would be acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Already he has trained with actors from both the RSC and the National Theatre in London, has worked on television and, most recently, in the film ‘Hallam Foe’, starring Jamie Bell.

Before pursuing a career in acting, Fingal gained a science degree from Edinburgh University and, rather more romantically, worked as a spear fisherman in Greece as well as a crew member on boats operating out of the East Coast of Scotland. All of this has given him valuable life experience which he can put into future performances.

Fingal has gained a place on the postgraduate acting course at the Drama Studio, London, whose alumni include Forrest Whittaker and Emily Watson. The Drama Studio is particularly well-known for its exceptional training in classical acting, particularly in Fingal’s beloved Shakespeare. Fingal is considered to be highly talented, and already displays the instincts and artistic honesty of a professional actor.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help Fingal through his studies at the Drama Studio, London.

Since the Award