Hannah Wheeler
Creative Industries
HND Acting & Performance
“The course was not only enjoyable in terms of the content, but it also prepares you for a career in the performing arts, both onstage and behind the scenes. The lecturers are excellent and very well connected within the industry, which is really useful.”
Hannah Wheeler has nurtured a love of drama that has grown alongside her. Now aged nineteen, she has been acting since age five and has always known this is both her passion and her chosen career path.
With a strong foundation and clear dedication, Hannah’s future in the performing arts looks exceptionally bright.
A lifelong passion for performance
Hannah applied to NESCol after studying National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Drama at Aberdeen Grammar and was delighted to be able to continue her study of the subject she enjoyed the most at school.
A love of the performing arts runs in Hannah’s family. Her mum is a Principal Teacher of Music & Drama at an Aberdeenshire secondary school and also runs the Aberdeen West franchise of the renowned Stagecoach Performing Arts, providing singing, dancing and acting classes for children and teenagers.
Having attended Stagecoach throughout her childhood, Hannah developed her skills and confidence at an early age. She has since come full circle and is now part of the teaching team, working with 3–6-year-olds who attend classes each weekend.
NESCol experience
Hannah loved her time at Aberdeen City Campus and credits the lecturing team for the outstanding experience she gained. She said: “The course was not only enjoyable in terms of the content, but it also prepares you for a career in the performing arts, both onstage and behind the scenes. The lecturers are excellent and very well connected within the industry, which is really useful.
The facilities at City Campus are also great—we had access to a wide range of equipment, as well as the studios and Basement Theatre to work in. During the two-year HND, I had the opportunity to perform in productions including The Sweet Science of Bruising, Treasure Island and Animal Farm. They were great experiences and really fun to be part of!”
She added: “College has such a wide range of subjects to choose from, but I think it’s really important to study what you love—and for me, that has always been drama.”
Alongside her studies, Hannah has been an active member of local theatre groups, Ragamuffins and Leading Lights, performing in musicals such as The Wedding Singer and Chicago. She has also gained valuable backstage experience, most recently as part of the staging crew for their production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
Award winner
Hannah’s most recent success saw her win the Go Make a Difference! award at the annual NESCol Student Achievement Awards – Go Celebrate! The awards provide a platform for the NESCol community to recognise individuals who have made a lasting impression over the past academic year.
Despite a high number of nominations from talented students across a wide range of curriculum areas and campuses, Hannah was selected as the winner by the judging panel. The Go Make a Difference! award recognises a student who actively engages with their community and creates a positive impact. Hannah received the honour in recognition of her passion for, and dedicated advocacy of, the creative industries in Aberdeen.
Promoting the creative industries
In addition to her studies, Hannah has also supported the drama lecturing team within the NPA Technical Theatre class, delivered as part of the School-College partnership provision. Drawing on her own experience in amateur theatre and her teaching role at Stagecoach, she brought valuable practical insight to the classroom. Her contribution helped to create a supportive and engaging learning environment, enabling school pupils to build confidence and develop their skills in a creative setting.
As well as volunteering in the classroom, Hannah has also helped support the College’s relationship with schools in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, delivering talks to pupils and teachers about the vibrant creative sector at NESCol.
Acting & Performance Lecturer, Hannah Macbeth, said, “Hannah is a passionate and dedicated advocate for the creative industries in Aberdeen. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that young people have access to high-quality theatre and music education beyond their classrooms at school.
As someone pursuing a career in the creative industries herself, Hannah understands the vital role that early exposure to the arts plays in building confidence, creativity, and future opportunities for young people. Through her continued efforts, Hannah plays a significant role in nurturing the next generation of creatives and strengthening the local arts community in the North East.
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