Artist in focus - Sandra Duguid
In Sandra's own words.....
What did you have for breakfast this Morning?
Hi-fibre with dried sultanas (good for poop!) and peppermint to calm my nerves!
What is a usual day for you?
Everyday is different. I’m director and have my own company BSLworks (www.bslworks.com) to run, teach BSL and look after my clients, freelances BSL Tutors and book keeper.
Describe yourself in five words
Creative, Independent, Adventurous, Encouraging, lastly Accident Prone!
What are you working on at the moment?
Multi tasks!!! I am doing my administration work for BSLworks then dashing off to do act as Emma ‘Playing God’ for Deafinitely Theatre. It’s touring in UK.
Sum up your work in five words
Quality not quantity, high standard, professional, perfectionist and so much fun!
Do you think that the attitude towards Disability Arts/Deaf Arts has changed over the last 10 years?
Yes it does, but still need more campagain to get more funds, expand the projects and bring recognised theirs talents.
What was your childhood ambition?
I want to be either Actress or a Detective. Being famous for being Sandra Duguid, Queen of BSL!
What is the future of disability Arts/Deaf Arts?
Develop more, get Disability and Deaf Arts recognise and to change the society’s attitudes toward Disability and Deaf ARTS. I want to expand my
acting career with them.
Who was your role model and why?
Catherine Duguid, my older hearing sister. I've looked up to
her since childhood. I've always admired her as she is such a
creative person with many talents. Before I moved to England
to study Fashion Design, everything changed after I met Ian
Townsley, my Deaf BSL Teacher who was my supporter
during my college days in Doncaster. Then Rachel Bastikar
when I moved to Derby, she's like my Deaf foster sister, with
a rare beauty and is such a clear communicator in BSL. My
role models kept changing from time to time and today it's
Laraine Callow - she is my former director of Deafworks. I
wouldn't have set up my new business if I haven't met or
worked with her. She gave me confidence and boosted my
brain with her wisdom and knowledge!
If you could invite any four people from the past or present to a dinner party whom would you have?
Paula Garfield, Actress and Artistic Director of Deafinitely
Theatre, for her determination to make a success as an
actress and for setting up her company to give everyone,
including me, an opportunity to develop their talents. Dorothy
Miles, Actress and Poet for her beautiful BSL Poems and
because she was a BSL pioneer. My business wouldn't be
here if she hadn't made BSL happen. Ian Townsley, to thank
him for being there and supporting me during my Fashion
Design course. I'd like to find out how he's getting on with
his life. Finally, Laraine Callow, to ask her for her experiences
and advice about life in general and business wise. She's my
mentor.
What’s your favourite piece of art or theatre in the world and why?
I remember Aberdeen School for the Deaf, Scotland took us children and teachers to watch the play. Cannot remember the name of play It was Indian play, it blows me away and couldn’t get it out of my mind. It’s my favourite play.
American Actress Elizabeth Quinn visited our school after saw her the play Lesser children of God a day before, I was godsmacked and admired her with different American Sign Language that’s where I learnt basic ASL and so proud of it!
Surrealism DALI paints, I saw his work in Spain and Belgium, one of his paints in Belguim museum, it took my breathe away, just stood and stared at the one of his surreal paints I am trying figure it out why! Love that picture!
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and why? Go GREEN, re cycling the rubbish! Respect each other and accept everyone are differently! PEACE and chill out!
Describe your most memorable experience?
I have so many memorable ones! It's hard to choose one out
of hundreds.
American Actress Elizabeth Quinn visited our school after saw her the play Lesser children of God a day before, I was godsmacked and admired her with different American Sign Language that’s where I learnt basic ASL and so proud of it!
Short biography:
Trained on ALRA Practical Acting Course for Deaf actors. Shape Deaf Theatre Academy Summer School. Theatre: Wishful Eyes and In Lust we Trust (Jackson’s Lane). Director and MC for BDA Sign Arts Festival (ICA) Comedy workshops and performance for BDA (Sadler’s Well Theatre).
Deafinitely Theatre: it’s a Small Word (BDA – Eden Court Theatre), Deaf Tsunami Fundraising (Union Chapel Theatre). London Deaf Drama Group (LDDG): An appointment with Death and A Second Hand Machine (Steiner Theatre). TV and Film: Grandad (BBC2). Poetry: SEA (Sweden, Trafalgar Square, Camden Community Theatre and GATE Theatre) Presenter and Reporter for See Hear on Sat (BBC2) Studied scriptwriting on Deafinitely Theatre’s newcomers project (Soho Theatre)
