Gowan Calder

Gowan Calder is a talented actress, director, and writer hailing from Scotland. She initially made her mark as a playwright but has recently ventured into the world of interactive storytelling, collaborating with artist Jill Calder on a graphic novel addressing the theme of Sectarianism, set to be published by The Scottish Book Trust in November 2014. Prior to this project, she released "Skint," an interactive graphic novel focused on financial challenges faced by young people, which first appeared in 2011 and saw a revised edition launched in 2013.

Calder's creative repertoire extends to both stage and radio, with notable works including "Bang Bang Your Dead," a dramatization of Muriel Spark's short story aired on BBC Radio 4's 'Women's Hour' and directed by David Ian Neville. Other highlights include "Truth Conquers All," produced by West Lothian Youth Theatre, and "Days of War and Rosie," part of the A Play, a Pie and a Pint series at Oran Mor in Glasgow. Her radio contributions also feature "Mrs McAulay is Carried Forward" and "Nude, Untitled."

Beyond her writing, Gowan has served as a Writer-In-Residence at HMP Glenochil from 2008 to 2009, leading various playwriting workshops for the Scottish Prison Service and youth theater groups. As a Visiting Lecturer in Playwriting at Queen Margaret University from 2009 to 2011, she also engaged with directing and acting students. Gowan continues to balance her dual careers in writing and performance.