Background
Debra Lawrance was born in Melbourne, Victoria and was the second youngest out of six children.
Debra Lawrance was born in Melbourne, Victoria and was the second youngest out of six children.
She chose, in 1974, to study acting at National Institute on Drug Abuse and was accepted. She studied with fellow students, including Mel Gibson, Steve Bisley, Judy Davis and Robert Menzies. Lawrance graduated in 1977.
She continues to guest star to this dateher last appearance was in 2009. After graduating, she guest starred in a wide range of roles including Prue Waterman in The Sullivans (1976), Sheila Turner in Skyways, Kerry Burgess in A Country Practice (1982) and Lisa in Bellamy (1981). She also featured in a number of miniseries, including The Last Outlaw, a series about Ned Kelly.
This was followed by a number of feature films, including Silver City.
Lawrance"s big break was receiving the lead role of The Fast Lane, a widely successful American Broadcasting Company comedy. She took over the role of Pippa Fletcher (later Ross) from Vanessa Downing on 23 July 1990 and continued to play the part on Home and Away until leaving in 1998, although she has frequently returned to guest star.
Debra had a recurring role as Reverend Grace Curtis, Tom Croydon"s ill-fated wife on Blue Heelers from 2001 to 2004. Debra"s theatre credits include the London tour of Jack Davis" Number Sugar, the role of Vi in the Melbourne Theatre Company production of The Memory of Water, and most recently the 2009 tour of Steel Magnolias in the role of M"lyn.
And the title role in the 2010 tour of Driving Mission Daisy.
In recent years she has been running vocal and communication skills workshops. With a particular interest in assisting women to be heard in the workplace. The workshops, titled Are You Being Heard?, are very popular in all sectors of the workforce.
They are highly experiential and have proved to be a transforming experience for those who attend.
Lawrance"s favourite book is Mister God, This Is Anna. Her favourite movie is Babette"s Feast.
Her favourite restaurant is Tetsuya"s, especially the degustation menu. Debra had never watched Home and Away before her casting, so she had to watch fifty episodes.
The role she wishes to play most is Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare"s Macbeth.