The ‘Rising Star Award’ provides grants to help young people realise their potential to achieve their career aspirations across a range of sectors. Nominations are welcomed through a wide variety of education, arts and cultural organisations including primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities and also youth groups.
Graduating with a First-Class Honours Degree in Drama, Theatre and Performance in partnership with Queen Margaret University and West College Scotland, Georgia has shown an abundance of natural talent and creativity in her work throughout her studies.
Completing her HND at Ayrshire College in 2018, Georgia left with the student of the year award, being commended for her commitment and support of others. Georgia went on to develop theatre work with one of her fellow students in a company that writes, produces, and performs work that highlights social issues such as illness and loss.
Brought up by her single parent who is non-binary and deaf, Georgia’s initial involvement with Solar Bear (a deaf theatre group) inspired her to pursue her passion within visual theatre that is accessible to a wider audience. Working several jobs (sometimes at the same time) as a support worker, deaf interpreter, drama workshop assistant and as support at Inkblot Collectives Deaf Theatre Club allowed Georgia to continue following her passion as a creative.
Georgia’s own creative work throughout her time on the BA Hons has been described as excellent and she contributes to and supports many of her peers’ projects quietly and efficiently, often bringing a wonderful performance to a minor character and transforming the show.
Una McDade, Performing Arts Lecturer at West has guided Georgia through her studies at the College and continues to be a real support in helping her to achieve the next steps of becoming a theatre maker.
Una commented:
"Georgia has been a pleasure to work with as part of the BA (Hons) Drama Theatre and Performance course and I was delighted to nominate her for the John Mather Rising Star Award. During her time with us, Georgia has been supportive of her classmates in creating and performing some stunning productions as part of the course, and she supported them as one of two class representatives also.”
Driven by a desire to create theatre that is accessible to a wider audience, Georgia is currently creating work that uses puppetry to tell the stories we know in a novel and entertaining way. Her experience of deaf theatre and her own background have encouraged her to find new ways to approach theatre and storytelling. The funds provided by The John Mather Trust of £9,613 will allow Georgia to develop her skills as a puppeteer through a variety of means including: further training and workshops; purchasing new equipment; and hiring rehearsal space to ultimately achieve her dream of producing her own show.
Delighted to be presented with the prestigious award, Georgia commented:
“Winning the Rising Star Award means so much to me, I joined the BA (Hons) Drama, Theatre and Performance course in 2022 and it was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made.
To work with such a talented class and passionate lecturers have made each step of the course so enjoyable, and has made me eager to create more thought provoking and entertaining theatre. This award will allow me to progress within the arts by expanding my skills within puppetry, alongside a group of talented and creative people, to create a piece of work that can help me and others do what we love, whilst making connections and potentially go on to perform at festivals such as Manipulate.”
Una continued: “I look forward to seeing how Georgia goes on to develop her skills and to watching her work in the future. The performing arts team at West College Scotland and our counterparts at Queen Margaret University would like to wish Georgia every success in the future and we are sure she will go from strength to strength as she graduates from West College Scotland."