Debi is a queer, disabled identifying actor, director and theatre-maker from rural Aberdeenshire with a keen interest in imaginative new writing. Based in Leith, they are one half of arts collective Theatre Fakers – a space seeking to address imposter syndrome within the industry. In 2021 Debi gained 5 star reviews and a sold out venue for their MFA Directorial showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. As well as theatre, Debi has a love of art, illustration, comedy and Scots folk music.
0131 629 0292
info@strangetown.org.uk
Meet more of the Team
Trudy Kalvynaite
Trudy is a visual artist and theatre maker who has been developing her practice in Edinburgh for the past five years. Born in Lithuania, raised in Ireland and now rooted in Scotland, she explores fusion of identities and heritage in her work. Her play INERTIA, premiering at Edinburgh Fringe 2025, portrays a haunting portrait of her own family history. With her experience in creative education, Trudy is keen to explore the importance of play and vulnerability in the creative process with young people.
Katie Fraser
Katie is a playwright, teacher and workshop leader. Since finishing the MSc in Playwriting course at the University of Edinburgh she has been working with Framework Theatre Company to develop her script Play Pretend. She has extensive experience working with young people from 8-18 in schools and in youth theatre groups.
Pollyanna Esse
Pollyanna has worked with Strange Town for 2 years assisting various workshops. She graduated from Edinburgh University in 2022 with a Fine Art degree and is now training to be an Art Physiotherapist.
She has worked in theatre throughout her life and found her love for directing and producing in her final year of her undergraduate degree. In 2022, she wrote and directed her own Fringe show, going on to work for a New York based Theatre company. There she produced a programme for young and emerging playwrights as well as taking their show to Fringe in 2023. Some of the playwrights she mentored have now been commission to write for multiple theatres in New York. She has always had a love for arts education and giving people the space and opportunity to express themselves.
She has worked for Edinburgh International Festival for the past 2 years as their Digital Content Officer. So she has an strong organisation head too as well as being a creative at heart!
She recently set up Ophelia Hare Arts, where she aims to develop creative experiences that challenge the barriers of pay for early career creatives. She believes that no matter who you are, you should have access to the arts and experience the freedom of expression.
Marion Geoffray
Marion Geoffray is a performer, theatre-maker and arts educator with over a decade of experience in the performing arts and education sectors. She’s had the chance to collaborate with leading arts and cultural organisations in Scotland (Imaginate, Lyra, YTAS, Starcatchers, NGS, Fringe Society, EIF and of course Strange Town!) as well as in F.E/H.E (University of Stirling, Edinburgh, RCS, QMU and The Scottish Institute) delivering high quality and engaging artistic projects and acting training.
She has a strong background in youth theatre, community engagement and creative learning. At the heart of her work is a socially engaged practice founded on rights-based and play-based approaches. She likes to use devising, new writing and physical theatre to create performances on the themes of communication, home, and identity, often adopting a multi-sensory and multi-cultural approach. As a migrant artist living and working in Scotland, she is highly passionate about offering a fair, inclusive, innovative and diverse access to the arts for all while championing the next generation of Scottish artists.
Credits include: PROM(ise) an immersive experience about prom night, Where Are You? A multilingual pop up performance commissioned by Imaginate and Arts in Tongues, a mini-web series for families about cultural, artistic and historical heritage in Edinburgh which won the Creative Edinburgh Collaboration Award in 2021.
Jenny Duncan
Jenny is a recent graduate from Edinburgh College. She loves performing and entertaining people and has a particular love for interactive theatre, feminist theatre and anything to do with Jodie Comer. She loves trying new things and taking herself out of her comfort zone.
Grace Marshall
Assistant Director - Wednesday 11-14s
Grace is an actor and director based in Edinburgh, who graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) in Dance and Drama with Kingston University and Performing Arts Studio Scotland in 2025.
She has performed in theatres all across Edinburgh, including at the Royal Lyceum and the Traverse Theatre, and recently wrote and directed her own show ‘In My Own Hands’ which was performed at the Biscuit Factory.
She is passionate about creating theatre that sparks conversation, and using it as a unique tool to educate, and hopes to inspire young people to do the same!
