Along with being responsible for casting all Abbey Theatre productions, Deborah will actively seek out new and emerging talent, as well as supporting the work and development of more established actors.

Deborah has been involved in theatre all her life, making her professional acting debut as a 10-year-old, throughout her teens as a Youth Theatre member and eventually going on to train at the Gaiety School of Acting 1992–1994.  

Deborah founded the voice agency, Voicebank, which she ran for over twenty-six years, where she oversaw castings for audiobooks, animation, TV documentaries and commercials, both in Ireland and in the UK. As a Casting Director, Deborah has cast numerous TV commercials, short films, TV shows, games, Opera and theatre and has worked with industry luminaries including Lenny Abrahamson, John Butler, Damien O’Donnell, Gina Moxley and Orpha Phelan.  

Caitríona McLaughlin and Mark O’Brien, Co-Directors of the Abbey Theatre, said: “We are delighted that Deborah Pearce is joining us as our new Casting Director at the Abbey Theatre. She has an incredible knowledge of the sector and of actors having worked in the industry for almost 30 years. She is passionate about actors at all stages of their careers, and we look forward to seeing new and familiar talent on the stages. While we are all sad to lose Sarah Jones, a brilliant Casting Director who has been a huge asset to the Abbey and the wider theatre community, we are very excited to welcome Deborah, who brings with her a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience.” 

Deborah Pearce said: “I am absolutely delighted to be coming on board as Casting Director, and to join the wonderful team at The Abbey Theatre. It really is my dream job which marries my two passions: actors and the stage—and what a stage! I’m so looking forward to bringing some of the incredible talent that’s out there to this most eminent of theatres, especially at such an exciting moment in the Abbey’s story.”  

Deborah will take up the role as Casting Director on September 6th 2023, where she will be contactable on deborah.pearce@abbeytheatre.ie.