Born and bred in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Deb has been involved in theatre since high school, but remembers well her first experience as an 8 year old, being hypnotised by the art form while watching A Chorus Line at the State Theatre. She did work experience at the Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf Theatre during Year 10, followed years later by winning an acting scholarship at the Ensemble Studios with Hayes Gordon. She completed a BA at UNSW majoring in Theatre Studies, English Literature, Psychology and Sociology, followed by a Master of Teaching in Drama and English at Sydney University, completed in 1998.
After some theatre and television experience, Deb far preferred the impact of teaching drama. She has taught Drama and written and directed student productions for over 15 years. When she’s not reviewing theatre, she works as a Drama and Educational Consultant, developing programs for adults and children, including Our Big Kitchen and Kids Giving Back – not-for-profits who help people in need, including the homeless and victims of domestic violence. She is a passionate educator and believes strongly in the power of theatre and the arts to educate, inspire, help others and inform change.