About Deb Williams
Storyteller, Creator, Director, Teacher, Actor, Director, Playwright, Comedian.
Deb Williams is an award-winning actor, playwright, producer, and comedian who has worked across Canada and the world for over 40 years. Deb is one of the co-creator/stars of the 5 Mom's the Word plays, enjoyed by over 2 million people in 19 countries and 15 languages. Deb is a co-founder and the Artistic Producer of The Flame, Canadian Westcoast's premiere storytelling event since 2009. Deb premiered her one-person show, "Taking Off," at the Belfry Theatre in 2016. She has been an Associate Artist at the Belfry Theatre for 13 years. Deb Graduated from Studio 58 and is a community organizer and builder, creating art, festivals and celebrations wherever she lives.
For the past decade and a half, Deb has been a personal narrative teacher, coach, facilitator and consultant, supporting 1000s of tellers of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultural identities, and mental and physical abilities, find their voice and share entertaining and meaningful stories from their fascinating lives.
Deb has facilitated and taught personal narrative workshops at the William Head Correctional Institute, where she has worked closely with incarcerated men. Through these workshops, the participants transformed their unique and powerful personal stories into a compelling theatrical production titled "Hatched." This 90-minute show explores the intricacies of life inside the correctional facility, showcasing the raw and authentic experiences of the men involved.
The stories shared in "Hatched" were vulnerable, poignant, and infused with humour, highlighting the complexity of their lived experiences. Each night, the production captivated an audience of 150 members of the public who attended any of the 12 performances. Those who witnessed the show were deeply moved and transformed, gaining a profound understanding of the human spirit and resilience in the face of adversity. The impact of "Hatched" extended beyond the confines of the stage, fostering empathy and connection between the performers and the public.
Deb also had the incredible opportunity to teach a vibrant group of 20 queer youth, equipping them with the skills to share their narratives through Zee Zee Theatre's "Rainbow Youth Storytelling Project:" a dynamic community-driven initiative presented in partnership with the Vancouver Public Library. Its mission is to dismantle stereotypes, combat prejudice, and foster understanding among diverse communities. This project created a welcoming and safe environment for 2-Spirit, Queer, and Trans youth to express themselves and connect with their peers, as well as trusted adults. At the heart of the event lay an engaging twist: audience members chose a storyteller based solely on a captivating story title. Once selected, they had the chance to meet the storyteller face-to-face for an intimate one-on-one conversation, allowing them to delve into the genuine tales that shaped their lives.
Deb recently returned from working with and supporting the Anishinaabe Nation of northern Ontario, witnessing 30 men's stories of childhood sexual abuse rot upon more than 500 boys by one man during the 70s and 80s. These survivors, now fathers and grandfathers, shared their experiences and how those have utterly impacted their lives and those of their offspring. The horrors are real, and even hearing the stories is life-altering.
Deb also enjoys being a semi-annual guest lecturer for the master's and PhD students in the UBC School of Forestry. This lecture offers the students skills, using their own true stories to enliven and engage audiences whom the scientists want to impact, including granting bodies, superiors, colleagues, and the public.
Deb has taught with and for the UBC Mandarin Face Drama Club, Theatre as a Second Language, Art Spring on Salts Spring Island, Nanaimo's Port Theatre and Bethlehem Centre, Belfry Theatre, Victoria Public Library, HERE Magazine, The Ryga Festival, Surrey Civic Theatres, Vancouver Fringe Festival, Vernon Public Library, Metro Vancouver, Zee Zee Theatre, HIV/AIDS Conference, Chutzpah! Festival, Canadian Immunodeficiencies Patient Organization (CIPO National), TaiwanFest, Vancouver International Children's Festival, SFU, Studio 58, Surrey Fringe Drama Festival, Good Will Shakespeare Festival, University of Victoria MBA program and more.
